7/23/17 HOMILY
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| Ann Harrington and Margaret |
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| Ann Harrington ARCWP |
Our prayers and readings today are
heavy on female imagery for the Divine.
I hope it causes you to reflect on how dominant male imagery has been in
our tradition. Maybe that suits you,
maybe you are more comfortable with that.
But as your priest it is my job to invite you to different prayer
experiences that challenge you to broaden your understanding of the nature of
God. Our God image determines how we
move and live and have our being in the world.
Our culture highly values strength,
winning, independence. These are
traditional masculine traits but women are learning these can be helpful in
their lives too. Historically the traits
of hospitality, nurturance and connection have been proscribed to women though
more and more men are finding the need to develop them too.
We are in a time of great
transition. A time when society, people
and the very planet are longing and crying out for more balance. Here we are Free Spirit Inclusive Catholic Community,
doing our part to make the church more balanced, more whole, truer to what
Jesus taught. Our Catholic tradition has
always taught us to look to the lives of the Saints for guidance. Of course I never paid much attention to
Mary Magdalene as she was a prostitute
right? She might have even enjoyed
sex. Or perhaps those 7 demons Jesus
healed her of had to do with depression and oppression. Try to imagine what it was like to live in
her time. We know Rome was occupying her
country, women are always at higher risk when the military is around, rape is
still used as a way to subdue and conquer a population.
Well an amazing thing happens when
one reads the Scriptures carefully. No
where does it say Mary was a prostitute or sexually promiscuous. The idea that she was a prostitute was formulated
by Pope Gregory, 14 centuries ago as he confused her with the story of the
woman found in adultery and somehow decided she must also be a prostitute. Perhaps we can give the Pope a pass on
scripture scholarship but it does seem awfully odd that making Mary a
prostitute also coincided with denying women equality in the church.
Let's take a look at what Luke
says about Mart of Magdala
“With Jesus went the
twelve, as well as some women he had healed of evil spirits and sickness;
Mary of Magdala, from whom Jesus had cast out seven demons; Joanna, the wife of
Herod’s steward Chuza;(KOO-zah) Suzanna; and many other women who were
contributing to the support of Jesus and the Twelve with their own funds.”
These must have been some
affluent women.
Other things we know about
Mary of Magdala is that she was so dedicated to Jesus she stayed with him
throughout his crucifixion. In John's
version, her love for Jesus pushed her to go to the tomb alone . I wonder would I have that much courage. And while her plans were to minister to the
dead body of her beloved, her beloved appeared to her in what she thought was
the gardener. How often has God come to
us disguised? When have we experienced
the thrill of God calling our name?
From Pastor Dawn:
Where can we find what
Mary found; Mary who when she found this new thing, was able to go on to found
a community of followers of Christ who endured despite the odds against them.
From the Gospel of Mary
“Do not weep and be
distressed nor let your hearts be troubled. For Christ’s grace will be with you
all and will shelter you. Rather we should praise Christ’s greatness, for
Christ has joined us together and made us true human beings.
Do you hear what I hear.
It's not in the sky, it's right here. We are doing what Mary did. Together we are finding a new expression of
church, one more fully following Jesus..
I pray we too endure despite the odds against us. I ask you to pray for the flourishing of this
community as well. Our world so needs
this, we need this, our children and grandchildren need this.
Question for
reflection: Where have you found the
Face of God and what does it push you in any way?
Opening:
We Are Called #628 https://youtu.be/jgomtIc1_yc?list=PL2UaeMphocOm2AnOA2cYjbqj17NUopdQw
Psalm:
The Face of God by Karen Drucker
Offertory:
Let Justice Flow Like a River https://youtu.be/ZYfgLxCPE5g
Communion:
Beauty of the Dancer https://youtu.be/IQppB_Cshcg
Wisdom 7:22-28
Psalm You are
the Face if God by Karen Drucker https://youtu.be/yUXPIeFHUjU
Romans 16: 1-7, 16
John 20: 1-2, 11-18
"Where do you see the face of God and what does that do to you?"
It is in Ann that I see the face of God. Like every genuine experience of the presence of God, it is challenging, transforming, humbling, and sometimes scary. Mark Harrington, Ann's husband
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