Spiritual Perspectives
A Woman's Place

By Linda Rounds-Nichols
Special to the Independent

The Christian community is celebrating the season of Lent and is about to remember the stories of Jesus' last week, his crucifixion, and his resurrection. Some Christian churches might spend some time honoring a special group of his followers the ones who most honored him, the ones who stood by him, the ones who first learned that he was not in the tomb, and the ones who first saw him after his resurrection. Others will not.

The question of women in the church is one that seems to come and go. A decade or more ago, many women were writing books about their feelings of discrimination, persecution, or just feeling as forgotten members within the church. While some of those books are now out of print, the feelings still exist, and are still expressed. What happens when there is no place for the people who feel that they or their loved ones are not respected because of gender, or for those who feel disconnected because they can't see themselves within the Divine? Some swallow the feelings and go on; however, their spirituality has something lacking. Some leave the Christian church and find another way to express their spirituality. Most probably enjoy books and movies like the DaVinci Code, simply because, therein, a woman has a special place in the Christian story. Yet, that women were special to Jesus is not only in fiction the importance of women can be found in the Gospels.

Consider what is written about women and their interactions with Jesus during the final days of his life. We are told that during a special dinner, Mary anointed Jesus with expensive perfume. When she was chided for this, Jesus hushed the man who was complaining and validated her action. Later, while he was on the cross, standing by were Mary, his mother; Mary Magdalene, and another Mary. Only one of his male followers is mentioned in this part of the story, and some say that is because the others ran off, afraid for their own lives.

We are told that the women stayed until Jesus' body was taken to the tomb. It was the women who returned after Sabbath, to prepare his body for final burial, so it was the women who discovered that his body was gone. It is written that they were told of Jesus resurrection. It is also written that the first person to see the risen Jesus was Mary Magdalene, followed by the other women.

There is a message here. Women are important, and do have a place in the Christian story. Jesus did not persecute or ignore women but rather gave them great honor. Women who feel discriminated against or persecuted should not need to leave the church, or cling to fictional accounts. However, perhaps Christian women do need to talk with each other, read those books that are still in print, such as The Dance of the Dissident Daughter, and share their feelings in informal groups. There was once such a group here in Gallup a place for women to find ways to hold on to their Christianity while also finding ways to honor and respect themselves and the Divine Feminine. Having heard, again, of the pain of feeling forgotten and of missing the Divine Feminine, perhaps it is time for the resurrection of this or a similar group. Easter is the perfect season for all kinds of resurrections! May the Mother/Father God, creator of everyone and everything, bless us all!

Rev. M. Linda Rounds-Nichols, a priest in theChurch of Antioch, advocates for acceptance of the religion of all people, and is interested in helping women connect with their own special spiritual issues through an investigation of womyns's spirituality. She can be contacted at lindaroundsnichols@yahoo.com.

This column is the result of a desire by community members, representing different faith communities, to share their ideas about bringing a spiritual perspective into our daily lives and community issues.

For information about contributing a guest column, contact Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola at the Independent: (505) 863-8611, ext. 218 or lizreligion01@yahoo.com.