Luke 24, and Listening to the Women-- Then, and Now...

"But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense."

Luke 24:11

What does it take for men to believe in what they've been told or promised? Stretch that, of course, to humankind, not just men, but still, the experience is there, as most women will tell you. On the road to Emmaus, Jesus walks with two apostles; they are cordial, but they do not recognize him. It isn't until when Jesus asks for food (and where was their required hospitality there, eh?), and he breaks bread, that they recognize him through his gestures. O yah... that prophecy, right? 

In this age of "fake news" and AI-generated text, misinformation, and "alternative facts," when people feel that their own version of events is valid, regardless of documentary evidence to the contrary, Jesus would not stand a chance. We have major trust issues. And, as it has historically always been the case, women are believed the least, when it comes to a national conversation about, well, most anything --especially when it comes to having sovereignty over their own bodies and lives. This is not a discussion about reproductive rights, though that it part of the equation for many people, I suppose. It is, however, about not listening to the people who are at the very least affected directly by decisions being made. Our representative government is broken, our judicial system is in tatters, and all because there are those who feel that their own interests trump everyone else's, and it's usually about money, influence, and protecting what they feel is their way of life. (And yes, the pun is in there.)

Last time I checked in the Bible, Jesus liked and respected women; he listened to them. He understood that they were not often consulted, let alone given any sort of say in their own destiny. He protected the marginalized, often the women, against not only their accusers, but also their community members (men) who stood in judgment. I wonder if that was part of the anger and resentment that The Powers That Be held against him. Granted, sacred text does not say so, but hey, look at the rotten deal Mary Magdalen got from the fellas--and they were on the same team. And the other, not included writings of women. And let's not forget that quite often, the early Church met in secret, with women presiding over the congregation --not as priests, but certainly Hostesses with the Mostest. 

It's frightening to be a woman, even one of my age, ethnicity, and education. I worry about the future for my daughter, her daughter, and all the young girls who are struggling to find a measure of parity in our society. We are not a "third world country," but we sure treat women without a lot of respect or equity (unless they play basketball, it seems). Granted, this is not always the case, but until we remove the hyphens and diminutives ("lady-firefighter" or anything ending in -ette), we won't make any real moves toward the equality that women have earned, over and over again. Looking back to Luke, and the story of the women, both at the crucifixion and after-- the women stayed at the foot of the Cross. They showed up to do the burial duties. They were loyal, they believed first. And then, they essentially were told to get back in the kitchen and make a sammich.

It's frustrating. I hope we can do better.

Have a good day,

C