Dear Friends,

July is an amazing month in the (Episcopal) Church.  On July 19 we remember Macrina, who taught and inspired her brothers Basil, Gregory, and Peter.  On July 20 we give thanks for the lives and witness of Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Amelia Bloomer, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, freedom fighters of the 19th century.  Then July 22 comes, bringing Mary Magdalene's announcement: "I have seen the Lord!"  July 26 is the feast day for the parents of Mary the Mother of God, and then we wind up our octave plus two on July 29, with Mary and Martha.  It's an embarrassment of riches, an immersion in powerful and prayerful women.  (And yes, we note Joachim in among them; he must have been something himself, to raise such a daughter.)

All this makes July a good month to give thanks for all the women who have carried the love of Christ in their hearts, their bodies, their words, their lives.  The forms of devotion are varied: Martha cooked (and challenged Jesus, and confessed him as Messiah). Her sister listened, and gave her precious ointment without regard for what others thought.  Anne raised her daughter to face into the challenges of following God's will.  Macrina taught and lived a life aimed solely at God.  Harriet risked her life to free others.  Sojourner walked away from slavery, and spoke against her oppression as an African-American and as a woman.  Amelia faced ridicule for her values and actions toward women's equality.  Elizabeth castigated the Church for its failure to honor women's humanity.

And in their midst is the Magdalene.  She no doubt knew some of these women.  She no doubt inspired others.  She let her love and gratitude lead her to break out of her inner slavery, and social expectations (in and out of the circle of disciples), and even what her experience told her was impossible.  She knew what she saw, and she dared to tell others.

If you are reading this, somewhere in you is a vision: the promise of a healed and renewed world, even if it's just one heart or one house at a time.  You have that vision.  You know justice when you see it, and injustice.  You know what it is to hope, and love.  You know the difference between freedom and something less.  And God knows, we need you to share your vision with us now.

Pray with these women to let your life be guided by that vision.  Don't settle.  "Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings, so closely; and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith" (Heb. 12:1-2).

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord!

Blessings,

Shane, for The Companions