This poem, “I Entered the House, but Martha Was Not There,” was written by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III in 1962 after he was ordained Bishop of Education. It expresses his spiritual sorrow upon finding little sense of contemplation or service among people, and he poured those feelings into this reflective poem.

🌿 Main Idea:
The Pope begins with: “I entered the house, but Martha was not in its court, nor Mary.” The “house” symbolizes the Church or the spiritual community. He found neither Martha, who represents active service, nor Mary, who symbolizes deep contemplation — meaning both aspects of true spiritual life were missing.

💫 Spiritual Dimension:
The poem is more than a social observation; it is a spiritual cry to restore balance between prayer and service. Without Mary there is no deep communion with God, and without Martha there is no loving service — both are essential for the Lord’s presence.

🔥 Faithful Reflection:
The Pope asks with sorrow: “Who is for the Lord in the house? And if He comes, who will serve Him?” He continues with poetic wonder — who will long for His coming, smile at His presence, gaze upon His face, or dream of His words through the night? It is a vision of a house missing its divine Guest.

💖 Final Message:
The poem calls every believer to restore the spiritual harmony between devotion and service. Sitting at Christ’s feet and working for Him must go hand in hand. Without Martha and Mary, the Lord finds no home among us.

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