Skip to Main Content
Women of the ELCA
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Tools For Leaders
  • Publications
  • Gathering 2021
  • Contact
  • Ministry & Action
    • Discipleship
    • Justice
      • Human Trafficking
      • Racial Justice Advocacy
      • Racial Justice Advocacy Network resources
      • Domestic Violence
    • Membership
    • Stewardship
      • Thankofferings
      • Faithful Friends
      • Katie’s Fund
      • Gift Planning
    • Special Initiatives
      • Raising Up Healthy Women & Girls
      • Dear Friend in Christ
    • Scholarships
      • Lutheran laywomen
      • Lutheran Ordained Ministry
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Events
  • About
    • History
    • Executive Board
    • Staff
    • Get Involved
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Tools For Leaders
  • Publications
  • Gathering 2021
  • Contact
« Back to All Daily Grace

Mary’s crucible

4.6.2015
|
Daily Grace

“At the foot of the cross, four soldiers gamble for a condemned man’s clothes. Beside them, four women keep vigil over a condemned man’s groans. The contrast is clear. The men are busy in their role as functionaries of the government. They worry about tearing up a perfectly good piece of clothing, but not about crucifying a perfectly innocent man. The other men, the disciples, have long since fled. (It’s reasonable that they did—they could get killed for hanging around.) The women seem to be made of sterner stuff than Jesus’ male companions. Thankfully, Mary is surrounded by her friends and kinswomen, all of whom understand the importance of being there for Mary as she faces the toughest day of her life. They don’t let her stand alone at the foot of the cross.

Some women are given the kind of strength to keep watch, even when their hearts are breaking. Take a moment to think about a time when you were the one to accompany someone else during a crucible in life, as Mary’s sister and friends stood by her.

Have you been through a crucible in your own life? Who has kept watch with you?”

Today we commemorate the lives of Albrecht Dürer, who died in 1528; Matthias Grünewald, 1529; and Lucas Cranach, 1553; all artists. We also observe Easter Monday. This message was adapted from “Mary Among the Disciples” by Christa Von Zychlin that appeared in the July/August 2009 issue of Lutheran Woman Today (now Gather) magazine.

Share

Sign up for Daily Grace

Daily Grace is an on-the-go companion for your journey, offering a faith reflection every day. Encounter God’s extravagant, boundless and often surprising grace by signing up for a daily email message. You can also download the newly updated app for your IOS and Android devices.

Women of the ELCA
10h
Women of the ELCA
@WomenoftheELCA

Continuing a tradition in the women's organization, applications are now being received for scholarships for laywomen and those studying for ordained ministry. The deadline to receive applications is April 5, 2021. Complete information is here. womenoftheelca.org/scholarshi… pic.twitter.com/6zHmyEbWct

Expand reply reply retweet retweet favorite favorite
Back to home

8765 W. Higgins Rd.

Chicago IL 60631

800-638-3522

[email protected]elca.org

Stay In Touch

Sign up for the WELCA Newsletter

Explore WELCA
  • Ministry & Action
  • Daily Grace
  • Resource Library
  • Events
  • Blog
  • News
  • About WELCA
  • Tools For Leaders
  • Publications
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Photos
Explore Publications

Bold Cafe

A Lutheran perspective for women of Christian faith or any woman who is interested in how faith relates to the issues facing women today.

Gather Magazine

A mix of articles, theological reflections, devotions and stories of comfort and challenge that help readers grow in faith.

Cafe Podcast

Subscribe to our podcast:

Click to subscribe

© Copyright 2021 Women of the ELCA. All Rights Reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Contact
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
© Copyright 2021 Women of the ELCA. All Rights Reserved.