Jesus revered women

14Apr
After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to tell his disciples.

-Matthew 28:1-8


Matthew teaches us Jesus revered women. Women were part of his inner circle, providing for Him in life, his death, and his resurrection. Mary Magdalene was among them, at his feet during the crucifixion. She was a courageous and powerful sentinel at his tomb, in a holy vigil with another Mary, guarding against Pilate’s soldiers and their unparalleled cruelty.  


Mary Magdalene was first person to see the risen Christ. She was the one chosen by Jesus to receive and proclaim his message of the resurrection-the core of our faith. Jesus saw Mary Magdalene as Thou and she knew him as Lord.  


Why is it that over the years she has been recast as fallen, demonized, portrayed as the repentant sinner saved by God’s graces? This narrative has served those seeking to disempower and denigrate women through many forms of domination, whether personal, institutional, governmental, commercial, or spiritual. These destructive forces are still at work today fueling cultural cruelty reminiscent of Pilate’s times.  

What would Jesus say about the myths degrading Mary Magdalene throughout the ages and our treatment of women today? How do we hold the polarities of fear and great joy in our own experience of the risen Christ?


Musical Reflection - I Will Change Your Name - Michelle Higgs



I cannot say where it lives,

only that it comes

to the heart that is open,

to the heart that asks,

to the heart that does not turn away.

...


You will recognize it

by how still your fear becomes as it loosens its grip,

perhaps never quite leaving you,

but calmly turning into joy

as you enter the life that is finally your own.

-Jan Richardson

-A Blessing of Courage from The Cure for Sorrow

Women

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