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| Miriam Leading the Women Across the Sea/Exodus by Mary Therese Streck, ARCWP |
Above is an original painting of Miriam Leading the Women Across The Sea/Exodus by Mary Theresa Streck, ARCWP a gifted artist and priest. The energy, joy and triumph and sense of women’s prophetic community in this painting is worth more than a thousand words. Yet, ARCWP Bishop Bridget Mary Meehan finds some of the right words to describe it: or maybe just a few words- words about the God’s endless love for us.
The prophet Miriam and her brothers Moses and Aaron lived in the terrible slavery and oppression imposed on the Israelites by Egypt. Their story is one of great faith,courage and triumph over the oppressors. As a girl Miriam helped save her baby brother Moses and her courage to speak up to the Egyptian princess who found him in a basket in the river and assured him of his own mother’s care and love (Exodus 2:7). Moses became the leader of the Hebrews, his faith and courage were rooted in the love of his mother and his identity as one of God’s people. When Moses followed God’s promptings and led the people through the Sea of Reeds (“Red Sea) that swallowed up their oppressors, he and Miriam sang a song of praise and joy ” In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed…”(Ex 15:13). “Then…the prophet Miriam picked up a tambourine,and all the women followed her, dancing,with tambourines while Miriam sang…”(Ex 15:20-21). Miriam was a woman of great courage and never failed to speak up for what she saw as right . Contrary to popular Movies about Moses, the triumvirate of Moses, Aaron and Miriam were in their eighties at the height of their leadership of God’s people. For us in the Roman Catholic women priest Movement the prophet Miriam is our Hebrew Scriptures heroine and we affirm the leadership God has given us in the renewal of the church. Let us now affirm God’s call, God’s love for all and dance with Miriam as the church is renewed. Judy Lee, ARCWP
Like Prophet Miriam, the Communion of Saints Continues the Dance of Liberation Today
by Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP
A friend recently shared that a priest said something that deeply touched her:“there is nothing you can do to make God love you more, and there is nothing you can do to make God love you less.”Yes, this is true. The purpose of life is not to make “brownie points” with God.We are the beloved of God, each of us, is loved completely and totally as we are right now. Like Miriam and the Exodus women, the Spirit of God is with us, leading us, guiding us, renewing us. As we open ourselves to God’s indwelling presence liberating and healing us each and every day so, like Miriam, prophet and sister in the communion of saints, we too can dance and sing, live and love in the fullness of God’s love always with us in our loving care for each other and creation.
The Communion of Saints is a holy company of kindred spirits, who have gone before us and who continue to be with us. They cheer us on in our earthly journey and one day we will meet them again because we all belong in God’s family. (on earth, in heaven, on the way to heaven) Let us celebrate our mystical oneness in God and dance the cosmic dance with our sisters and brothers on earth and in heaven.
Like Prophet Miriam, the Communion of Saints Continues the Dance of Liberation in our Church and World Today
http://www.arcwp.org
Like Prophet Miriam, the Communion of Saints Continues the Dance of Liberation in our Church and World Today
http://www.arcwp.org
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