https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/religion/first/women.html Scholar Karen King examines the evidence concerning women's important place in early Christianity. She draws a surprising new portrait of Mary Magdalene and outlines the stories of previously unknown early Christian women.
by Karen L. King
Karen L. King is Professor of New Testament Studies and the History of Ancient Christianity at Harvard University in the Divinity School. She has published widely in the areas of Gnosticism, ancient Christianity, and Women's Studies.
"In the last twenty years, the history of women in ancient Christianity has been almost completely revised. As women historians entered the field in record numbers, they brought with them new questions, developed new methods, and sought for evidence of women's presence in neglected texts and exciting new findings. For example, only a few names of women were widely known: Mary, the mother of Jesus; Mary Magdalene, his disciple and the first witness to the resurrection; Mary and Martha, the sisters who offered him hospitality in Bethany. Now we are learning more of the many women who contributed to the formation of Christianity in its earliest years.
Perhaps most surprising, however, is that the stories of women we thought we knew well are changing in dramatic ways. Chief among these is Mary Magdalene, a woman infamous in Western Christianity as an adulteress and repentant whore. Discoveries of new texts from the dry sands of Egypt, along with sharpened critical insight, have now proven that this portrait of Mary is entirely inaccurate. She was indeed an influential figure, but as a prominent disciple and leader of one wing of the early Christian movement that promoted women's leadership.
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Certainly, the New Testament Gospels, written toward the last quarter of the first century CE, acknowledge that women were among Jesus' earliest followers. From the beginning, Jewish women disciples, including Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna, had accompanied Jesus during his ministry and supported him out of their private means (Luke 8:1-3). He spoke to women both in public and private, and indeed he learned from them. According to one story, an unnamed Gentile woman taught Jesus that the ministry of God is not limited to particular groups and persons, but belongs to all who have faith (Mark 7:24-30; Matthew 15:21-28). A Jewish woman honored him with the extraordinary hospitality of washing his feet with perfume. Jesus was a frequent visitor at the home of Mary and Martha, and was in the habit of teaching and eating meals with women as well as men. When Jesus was arrested, women remained firm, even when his male disciples are said to have fled, and they accompanied him to the foot of the cross. It was women who were reported as the first witnesses to the resurrection, chief among them again Mary Magdalene. Although the details of these gospel stories may be questioned, in general they reflect the prominent historical roles women played in Jesus' ministry as disciples."
This course explores “Women Christianity” from a historical perspective, following the story from biblical times to the present day. Women are the “elephant in the Roman Catholic Church.” They have been perpetually silenced, ignored and discounted. If the Church is to survive, it is evident that it must be a more inclusive Church where the gifts of women and men are equally recognized, and where the present understanding of ordination is transformed from the bottom up.
TEXT
The Elephant in the Church by Mary T. Malone
Women are the elephant in the Church. They have been perpetually silenced, ignored and discounted. They are not required to make any contribution to the Church, except for obedience. This book explores what the author terms Women Christianity from a historical perspective, following the story from biblical times to the present day. If the Christian Church is to survive, it is clear that it must be a more inclusive Church where the gifts of women and men are equally recognised, and where the whole notion of ordination has to be revamped from the bottom up. First published in 2014, this revised edition includes an interview with the author in how her view on the role of women in the Church has changed over recent years. It also includes a new introduction by the former President of Ireland, Mary McAleese.
Secondary Text: What About Me? Women and the Catholic Church by Sharon Tighe-Mooney
COURSE FORMAT
This course is offered as an independent study or in a cohort model. Cohorts meet in person or use an on-line blog format (www.blogger.com) to foster an interactive learning community.
Gathering Song:“Christ Be our Light”#157 (3 verses)
Greeting:
Presider: Good afternoon, we welcome all here today.We gather as anInclusive community that welcomes all to the table,all faiths, all denominations.We welcome those who are considered “outsiders.” We assure you that all are always welcome to participate in all our community gatherings.
Let us now greet one another with a sign of peace and song. (changed from the customary place)
Two verses of:
1.“Peace is flowing like a River… 2.Alleluia, Alleluia
Presider: We gather in love and peace.We focus together today on our call to follow the messages of the gospelsWe recognize that we are CALLED to be the LIGHT of the world.We bring a tender heart of understanding recognizing the LIGHT within each and every one of us.We celebrate the life we have accepted and we support one another.
Together we say…
ALL:AMEN
Transformation Rite
Presider: Our world needs ourLIGHT to shine forth, to heal the division within all societies
ALL:Transform us Spirit of LIGHT.
Presider:Our world needs individuals who recognize their call to heal one another
ALL: Transform us Spirit of CALL
Presider: Our world needs positive and good actions so that peoples of the earthwill be rooted in faith and hope.
ALL:Transform us Spirit of CONVICTION
Presider: Our faith and hope is our strength to share with our world as we grow in our recognition of the SPIRIT within.And together we say
ALL:Amen
GLORIA
ALL:Glory be to the One in whom we live,
and move and have our being,
And to the many who participate in this ONE life,
And to the Spirit who gathers us
as ONE in Love,
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever evolving,
World without end.Amen
Mass of the World, Teilhard de Chardin
Presider: Today our theme is Light and Call. The “Christian Testament” (John D. Crossan) reflects the HOPE the followers had in Jesus, who would change the world and free the Jewish people from the tyranny of Rome. They believed that Jesus was the promised One talked about by the prophets in theHebrew Scriptures.
ALL: May our ears hear, our eyes see as the word is shared…Amen
LITURGY OF THE WORD
First Reading:Isaiah 8:23 to 9:3
Responsorial Psalm:“I have loved you with with an everlasting love”(rrefrain only #603)
Reading: Psalm 27
Second Reading:Paul from the first letter to the Corinthians 1:10-13,17
ALLELUIA, (SING 8x’s)
Gospel Reading:Matthew 4: 12 - 23
ALLELUIA, (SING 8x’s)
Instrumental
Shared Thoughts
Profession of Faith
ALL:We believe in our Creator who nurtures the earth, who resides in our expanding universe, who is one with us in all things.
We believe in Jesus, the Word incarnate, who journeyed on the earth, blessing the sick, making whole the broken, healing many, instilling faith in his followers so that they may continue the work He began.
We believe in the Spirit of Life, the breath of wisdom Sophia, who fills us with the breath of Life, who supports us and gives us strength to reach out to one another and build communities who search for truth on their life journey.
We believe in the communion of saints, our heavenly friends who walk with us in love as we continue our life journey.
We believe in the partnership and equality of women and men in our Church and our world.
AMEN
Presider:For Whom and for What do we join in prayer……
General and personal Intentions Shared
Response: Holy One give us LIGHT
LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
Offertory Song:“Be Still, and Know that I am ”#470
Offertory and Presentation of Gifts:
The Gifts are brought forth(filling the cup with wine and placing the bread on the altar then lifting both elements high)
PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
Presider: We raise this cup and this bread. We call on the Sacred Spiritand as One, we bless this bread and wine.We will share it together in memory of Jesus.We praise the SACRED SPIRIT everywhere in our Universe and recognize that WE Sisters and brothers are ONE in and with the SPIRIT OF LIGHT.
ALL:We express thanks that we share in this mystery
Presider: We celebrate our lives together in community
ALL:We express our gratitude for our CALL as LIGHT to our world
Presider:We celebrate our commitment to live true to our CALL in HOPE
ALL:It is right and just that we keep our word
VOICE:We celebrate our call to service.We share our hope for the healing of nations and our earth.We witness toLOVE.We reach out in tenderness and caring consistently encouraging and constantly instilling HOPE in all those we meet.We especially care for those most in need, who suffer from war on their difficult journey through life. May they gain strength and peace of heart.
VOICE:May we do our part to transform our earth,the air we breathe, the water that sustains life.As people who are called, who are lLIGHT to the multitudes may we share our knowledge and bear witness to our gospel commitments.
VOICE: May we bear witness to our belief that we can be instruments of healing the people of our world and their brokenness.
May we embrace our responsibility to protect those who come to us seeking freedom and peace.
ALL SING:We are Holy, Holy, Holy…. You are…. I am… We are whole.
Presider
We are indeed a holy people.It is the Divine which is part of all of us that is called forth, the Spirit of Light, ever Present filling us with hope on our journey on this earth.We call forth blessings on this bread and wine as we continue our celebration.
The night before Jesus died he shared the seder meal with the women and men he called disciples.Jesus stood, left the table and went to each one of them and washed their feet.Jesus then returned to the table.He took bread in his hands.He blessed the bread and gave praise to all life, he broke the bread and passed it to all those who sat with him and said:
ALL:Take this bread blessed and broken. Eat.This is my very self. Do this often in memory of me.
After supper, Jesus poured a final cup of wine.He blessed the wine and passed it to those gathered with him saying:
Take and drink this wine. It is the cup of the new covenant.It
is my very life.Do this often in memory of me.
Presider: In sharing this bread and cup, let us embrace the Gospel of justice and peace as we proclaim this mystery of our faith:
VOICE:In every person, in every creature that has ever breathed,
ALL:Christ has lived;
VOICE:In every living being that has passed on before us,
ALL:Christ has died;
VOICE:In our breaking open the word and the bread,
ALL:Christ is with us still.
Presider: With grateful hearts we receive the gifts of this Table. May the creative Spirit who energizes these gifts, activate in our hearts,a hunger for that justice that will guarantee sustenance for every human being.
Presider:In the spirit of this celebration, we rejoice in the Spirit of Oneness we share.We bring to mind all who feel separated from this Table of Abundance.
Presider: Awaken in us, Holy One, a passion for equality and a generosity of spirit, that all may be accepted and welcomed in an inclusive community of faith.
Presider:For it is through learning to live as Jesus lived,
And why he lived,
And for whom he lived,
that we awaken to your Spirit within,
moving us to be one with you, Life-giving Sacred Spirit,
At this time and all time and in all ways.
Celtic Amen!(Sing)
Presider: When the disciples ask Jesus to teach them HOW to pray He spoke the “Our Father”This prayer is a guideline of how we too can pray: Let us pray together as Jesus taught his disciples:
(adapted, Miriam Therese Winter, MMS)
O Holy One, you are within, around, and among us.
We celebrate your many names.
Your wisdom come, your will be done,
unfolding from the depths within us.
Each day you give us all that we need.
You remind us of our limits, and we let go.
You support us in our power, and we act with courage.
For you are the dwelling place within us,
The empowerment around us,
And the celebration among us,
now and forever.Amen.
Presider:Please join in prayer as this bread is broken for all:
ALL:Loving God:
You call us to live the Gospel of peace and justice.
We will live justly.
You call us to be Your presence in the world.
We will love tenderly.
You call us to speak truth to power.
We will walk with integrity in your presence.
Presider: This is the bread of life and the cup of blessing. Through it we are nourished and we nourish one another.
ALL:What we have heard with our ears, we will live with our lives; as we share communion, we will become communion.
We are both Love’s nourishment and Love’s challenge.Amen
Presider: We now share the Bread of Life and the Cup of the New Covenant.We welcome all to receive and be nourished at this
Open Table!
Quiet Meditation Song After Communion
Presider:We now share our gifts and our concerns.
Share thanks for gifts received this week, make request for prayerful support for persons we know.Announcements made by community members.
Presider: Let us all extend our hands for our mutual blessing:
VOICE: May vision and truth companion you.
May beauty be in your eyes. May peace fill your being.
May Love hold you close.
VOICE:May the Earth give you guidance.
May the Stars give you hope.May the Blessings of life fill you!
(adapted Jan Novotka)
Presider:The time has now come for us to leave this sacred place.
As we do, may we embrace the challenges of our lives and of our world...
VOICE: Go with Hope ready to share your faith that we have the ability to heal our broken earth.Go, ready to shine your Light in our world.
Go in peace, believing that the divisions and brokenness of our world will be healed by our hands.
Presider:Go into this week, held together by love, clothed with the nature of Jesus our Companion and strengthened by sacred Spirit Divine.
Pope Francis celebrates the New Year's day mass on Jan. 1 in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.Andrea Solaro / AFP - Getty Images My Response: While this is one small step forward, it is a long way toward the goal of treating women as equals in our Church. The full equality of women in every role is the voice of God in our time. Women Priests are leading the way. Bridget Mary Meehan ARCWP, https://arcwp.org
Recently, the Catholic Church took two small steps for womankind: This month, Pope Francis named the first woman to a managerial position in the Vatican’s most important office, the Secretariat of State. And in October, the world’s bishops suggested that Francis reconvene a commission he had created, at the urging of nuns, to study the ordination of women as permanent deacons — church ministers who are able to perform some of the duties of priests, but not to say Mass or hear confessions.
Yet these reforms only make clear how little power women hold in the church, where they constitute about half of Catholicism’s 1.2 billion adherents. Not only are women barred from ordination to the priesthood, they are not even allowed to vote at Vatican synods, convened to advise the pope about challenges facing the church.
Second
Sunday Ordinary Time (Year A) – January 19, 2020
Jim Marsh, ARCWP and Lindy Sanford,
ARCWP
My
friends, in the last four weeks, we have celebrated some awesome feasts
beginning with the birth of Jesus (incarnation), the Holy Family, the visit of
the Maji—the wise ones who could discern and see the sacred in their midst, and
finally the Baptism of Jesus that initiated his public ministry, if you will.
They are really feasts that celebrated each one of us: our unique incarnation
of the sacred masculine and divine feminine, the holiness of our lives and
families, our ability to be wise seekers and to discern the sacred even in the
midst of life’s messiness and foibles, and finally, our own baptism which
confirmed us as the “beloved(s) of God.”
And
so, let us be attentive to the readings today which speak of our call to live
out our baptism, and thus give testimony to Jesus as “followers of the Way.”
The next day, catching
sight of Jesus approaching, John exclaimed:
“Look, there’s God’s
sacrificial lamb, who takes away the world’s sin!
This is the one I was
talking about when I said, ‘The one who comes after me ranks ahead of me, for
this One existed before I did.’ I didn’t recognize him, but it was so that he
would be revealed to Israel that I came baptizing with water.”
John also gave this
testimony: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and she came to
rest on him. I didn’t recognize him, but the One who sent me to baptize with
water told me, ‘When you see the Spirit descend and rest on someone, that is
the One who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’
Now I have seen for
myself and have testified that this is the Only begotten of God.” These are the inspired words of John, the evangelist, and the community
responds: AMEN!
Shared Homily:Jim
Our
first reading from Isaiah is the second of four beautiful “Suffering Servant”
songs which is really poetry as Lynn pointed out last week.
Isaiah
is speaking a word of hope to the Jewish people in exile; people who were
hoping and praying for a Messiah, a liberator who would restore them to their
homeland and a promise of being God’s people once again as a nation with a
rebuilt Temple. Exile is not the end of God’s vision or story!
It’s
really not clear whether this servant is an individual or the corporate body of
Israel. The Holy One (God) says ‘I formed this servant from the womb, to be an
instrument of God’s glory, a light to the nations, so that salvation may reach
to the ends of the earth.’ It’s a very large order or mission—it’s not just
about themselves being restored. Why not? Because this gives them and us a
glimpse about God, the Holy One. God’s story and vision is always bigger than
ours and God cannot be boxed in. The Jewish people are beginning to discern
that their God, the Holy One, is not a tribal deity. I AM is the God of the
entire cosmos!
John’s
Gospel, unlike the synoptics, does not actually have the scene of John
baptizing Jesus in the Jordan. John’s Gospel is clearly about establishing who
Jesus really was beginning with his Prologue.
And
then along comes Jesus, who really was an “unknown,” so much so that his own
cousin John the Baptizer doesn’t recognize him if it were not for the sign of
the dove and God’s voice speaking after he reluctantly agrees to baptize him
which we heard in last week’s account from Matthew. Upon seeing Jesus, John
testifies “Behold, the Lamb of God.” This is certainly a phrase that countless
Christians have heard and probably led to what we call “atonement theology.”
We’re not going there, but it’s interesting to note that this is the only place
in the entire Bible where this phrase is used.
What
did John the Baptist or the evangelist John mean by it? Did it sound odd to
those first hearers? Lambs are often a symbol of gentleness, meekness and
docility. How could this be a description for a Messiah who would conquer,
vindicate, restore and liberate? Yet the very next day, two of John’s disciples
decide to check out Jesus and end up following him; hence, the call.
If
we think about it, the story of the Jewish people (God’s chosen ones) is a
story of unlikely servants being called and raised up …. Abram and Sarah, Moses
and Miriam, David, Saul, Deborah, Judith, Rahab, and the list goes on and on.
And
the Holy One continues to call women and men who often balk and hesitate before
responding. We have seen prophets in our own lifetime. Tomorrow, we celebrate
the life of Dr. Martin Luther King who challenged the power structure that
‘baptized the status quo’ of discrimination, oppression and injustice in this
country. Just yesterday, we saw hundreds of thousands across this country take
to the streets as part of the fourth Women’s March which focused on
reproductive rights, climate change and immigration. Some of our ARCWP
prophetic priests in Sarasota remind us to “wake up, pay attention, be people
of integrity, vote your conscience and do what’s right for all, not just
yourself.” “The time is Now” to act prophetically and courageously, says Joan
Chittister in her recent book by the same title.
Today’s
Gospel reminds us that we are empowered by the Spirit of the Holy One, by our
baptism to “live justly and love tenderly.” Being a “follower of the Way” is an
active lifetime enterprise of being a witness to Jesus. However, let us do this
humbly and ever so respectful of those other pathways of revelation and encounter
as expressed by our Hindu, Muslim and Buddhist neighbors. Remember God and
God’s vision cannot be neatly boxed in or up.
So,
I ask you: Who first pointed out Jesus to you and what did you hear today?
Statement of FaithLindy(found on page 37)
We believe in the Holy One, a divine mystery beyond all definition and rational understanding, the heart of all that has ever existed, that exists now, or that ever will exist.
We believe in Jesus, messenger of the Divine Word, bringer of healing, heart of Divine compassion, bright star in the firmament of the Holy One'sprophets,
mystics, and saints.
We believe that We are called to follow Jesus, as a vehicle of divine love, a source of wisdom and truth, and an instrument of peace in the world.
We believe in the Spirit of the Holy One, the life that is our innermost life, the breath moving in our being, the depth living in each of us.
We believe that the Divine kin-domis here and now, stretched out all around us for those with eyes to see it, hearts to receive it, and hands to make it happen.
Liturgy of the Eucharist(Written by Jay Murnane)
Lindy:As we prepare for the sacred meal,
we lay our stoles upon the table as a sign that just as Jesus is anointed so is
each of us.We bring to this table our
blessings, cares, and concerns. (Please
feel free to voice your concerns beginning with the
words, “I bring to the table…”)
end with We
pray for these and all unspoken concerns. Amen
Jim:Please join in praying
the Eucharistic prayer together.
All:God
beyond our words,
we gather to give thanks
and open our awareness to the goodness of all of creation. You invite us to
co-create with you and we remember our responsibility to serve.
We open this
circle to the memory of all of the joyful troubadours and faithful servants who
have gone before us. Joined with all that is alive, we lift up our lives and
sing:
Blessed be our God!
Blessed be our God!
Joy of our hearts, source of all life and love!
God of Heaven and Earth!
God of Heaven and Earth!
Dwelling within, calling us all by name!
Alleluia, sing!
Alleluia, sing!
Gift of love and peace!
Gift of love and peace!
Jesus Christ, Jesus our hope and light!
A flame of faith in our hearts!
A flame of faith in our hearts!
Proclaiming the day, shining throughout the night!
Alleluia, sing!
Alleluia, sing!
(Alleluia Sing by David Haas)
All: We
thank you for Jesus, simple servant, lifting up the lowly, revealing you as
God-With-Us, and revealing us as one with you and all of creation.
Presiders go to table
On the night before he died, Jesus
gathered for the Seder supper with the people closest to him. Like the least of
household servants, he washed their feet, so that they would re-member him.
Lindy: lifts bread as community prays the following
When he returned to his place at the table, he lifted the
Passover bread, spoke the blessing, broke the bread and offered it to them
saying:
Take and eat of the Bread of Life
Given to strengthen you
Whenever you remember me like this
I am among you. (pause)
Jim:lifts
the cup as community prays the following
Jesus then raised a cup of
blessing, spoke the grace saying:
Take and drink of the covenant
Made new again through mylifein you.
Whenever you remember me like this,
I am among you.(pause)
Let us share this
bread and cup to proclaim and live the gospel of justice and peace.
All: We are willing to do everything Jesus did,
to re-create the living presence of a love that does justice, of a compassion
that heals and liberates, of a joy that generates hope, of a light that illumines
people and confronts the darkness of every injustice and inequity.
So, we trust you to continue to
share with us your own spirit, the spirit that animated Jesus, for it is
through his life and teaching, all honor and glory is yours, O Holy One,
forever and ever. Amen.
Lindy: Let us pray as Jesus taught us
OHoly One, whois within, around and among us,
We celebrate your many names.
Your Wisdomcome.
Your will be done, unfolding from the depths within us,
Each day you give us all we need;
You remind us of our limits, and we let go.
You support us in our power, and we act with courage.
For you are the dwelling place within us,
the empowerment around us,
and the celebration among us, now and forever. Amen(Miriam Therese Winter)
Prayer for the Breaking
of Bread
Jim:Please join in the prayer
for the breaking of the bread:
Presiders break the bread
All:O
Holy One, You call us to live the Gospel of peace and justice. We will live
justly.
You call us to be
Your presence in the world. We will love tenderly.
You call us to speak truth to power. We will walk with integrity in your
presence.
Presiders
hold up bread and wine and say together:
This is the bread
of life and the cup of blessing.
Through it we are
nourished and we nourish each other.
All: What
we have heard with our ears, we will live with our lives;
as
we share communion, we will become communion, both Love’s nourishment and
Love’s challenge.
Lindy:Our Eucharistic celebration is
all-inclusive and all are welcome to share at this friendship table. You are a
spark of the Divine and nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Please
pass the gluten-free bread and the non-alcohol cup of blessing with the words: You
are the Face of God.
Jim:Our Communion Meditation Song is Litany
of Peace by Barbara Bridge
Karen L. King is Professor of New Testament Studies and the History of Ancient Christianity at Harvard University in the Divinity School. She has published widely in the areas of Gnosticism, ancient Christianity, and Women's Studies.
