Mary of Bethany

Sister of Martha and Lazarus of Bethany. Known for sitting at Jesus’s feet listening to his teaching while Martha served—when Martha complained, Jesus defended Mary: “Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken from her” (Luke 10:42). Present at the raising of her brother Lazarus, she fell at Jesus’s feet weeping (John 11:32). Shortly before the crucifixion, she anointed Jesus’s feet with costly perfume, which he said was “for the day of my burial” (John 12:7). A model of contemplative discipleship.