Many have used Mary Magdalene’s story to affirm the voice of women in the church. Today Mary Magdalene becomes an icon for those seeking full inclusion of women in leadership. She stirs up courage in women, an example of leadership and discipleship for men and women alike. Remember, it is Mary Magdalene who was the first person called by Jesus to preach the good news.
We Lutherans honor Mary’s truth through our International Women Leaders program, supporting women around the globe as they respond to God’s call in their lives. To deny women’s calls and relegate women to second class citizenship is to conveniently ignore Mary’s truth.
We honor Mary’s truth when all women in our church are respected for their ministries, with the altar guild, the Sunday school, the funeral lunches, the service to those in need. We honor Mary’s truth when all positions throughout the church are equally available to those who are ordained, women and men alike.
This message is excerpted from “Mary’s truth” by Linda Post Bushkofsky from the July 22, 2017, blog of the Women of the ELCA. Today we commemorate Mary Magdalene, apostle.
If you enjoy this resource, Donate Now.