Gee, have you ever noticed that the great religious thinkers and doers throughout history have been men? I know, not a super original observation. Yes, in honor of International Women’s Day, March 8, I have some rather curmudgeonly thoughts that, nevertheless, lead me to celebrate God’s grace.
Historically significant religious women have tended to be nuns or otherwise unmarried, childless women. Jesus and the apostles may sometimes have been above certain human needs, but when they were shown hospitality, well, I’m pretty sure it wasn’t the man of the house doing the cooking and serving.
The historical Buddha? Ran away from home to escape the family life imposed upon him. I tell you, if a woman had done the same thing and eventually discovered the path to enlightenment, she might have her own worldwide religious following, but there would always be a dark side to the tale, a whispered “you know she abandoned her family...” Somehow, the dark edge gets lost in the retelling of the Buddha story.
Don’t get me wrong—I don’t begrudge what these and male other religious thinkers came up with, but the life of quiet contemplation is a luxury that was simply unavailable to any average woman living in those times. They were busy doing everything else.
A different age offers us different challenges, and a life of quiet contemplation is a luxury that seems unavailable to most parents, male or female, these days (at least where I live). This is why I am doubly grateful for the open doors of St. Cyprian’s on a Sunday: First because I am there to listen, to think, to be quiet—and it may be the only time during the week I get that gift; second, because I love being part of an institution that honors women’s talents. The Episcopal Church has brought forward many female priests and bishops. Our primate, Katherine Jefferts Schori, is a woman of great learning, sensitive intelligence, and bravery. St. Cyprian’s was honored years ago by a visit from the first female bishop in the Anglican Communion, Barbara Harris, and the church’s House of Deputies is also led by a woman, Bonnie Anderson. (It must be noted that my husband, raised a Methodist, likes to remind me that Episcopalians have not cornered the market on female leadership!)
If Jesus had started a “church,” I doubt very much he would have sidelined women in the way the early church did. Jesus certainly honored the women he encountered. In this, as in many other things, let’s keep his example in mind. —Jennifer Wolfe
Thanks Jennifer for sharing the comment that women were busy "doing everything else." And also for your insight about the opportunity for quiet and reflection that Sundays can bring. Perhaps we too often think that a "vibrant" community or congregation is one that is vocal and demonstrative.
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