Women in the Bible have always fascinated me.  From the downfall of Eve with the imaging of women as the “weaker vessels” and ascribing frailty to women in the Old Testament, the heroines found there (who were definitely not frail) have piqued my interest.  It is evident in the Old Testament that many women were key in the history of the Israelites.  Esther, the brave and faithful hero to her people; Ruth, the symbol of loyalty and kindness (how many weddings include, your people are my people, or whither thou goest, I go?); Deborah, prophet and the only female judge.  Clearly, the list could go on.  Two essential ideas emerge for me, 1) often in salvation history, God chose a woman to reawaken the religious consciousness of Israel; and, 2) ordinary people do extraordinary things that can only be realized through the Holy Spirit.

The thought that ordinary people do extraordinary things brings me to the New Testament and the ordinary/extraordinary women presented there.  While there are some names that immediately come to mind as I think of New Testament women, I am also in awe of some of the nameless women such as woman at the well running to tell her neighbors of the living water that is possible through Jesus or the woman with the chronic bleeding order, who was willing to take a huge risk and reach out to touch the hem of Jesus’s garment – her faith so incredibly strong that she believed just that touch would heal her.  Martha busied herself to serve and take care of hosting losing sight of the gift before her. Of course, the Marys in the New Testament are noteworthy – Mary of Bethany who understood the gift before her that her sister Martha overlooked and showed us how to prioritize and focus on what’s important in the present; Mary Magdalene provides a shining symbol of redemption and faithfulness – never doubting and risking everything to follow Jesus all the way to the crucifixion and to be rewarded as the first human being to see the resurrected Christ.

During Retreats through Ignatian Spirituality Project, I often spoke to the women in recovery about connections with the Bibical women and their support of each other be it at the Cross or the crossroads of life. Life is made more possible to navigate when we do it with others connected in faith – not bound to restrict rather connected to support and guide preventing a great fall.

All of these amazing women pale in comparison to the Virgin Mary – Mother of Jesus, my mother, your mother!! Certainly, one could not put the Virgin Mary into the category of ordinary people. Since my childhood, I have always been awestruck with the Virgin Mary (perhaps it was getting to portray her in the 1st grade Christmas pageant) and her unfailing faith and trust. I cannot imagine even as a mature adult of being able to accept the Annunciation from Gabriel let alone as a young teenager.  She was incredible in her acceptance of divine conception with all the possible implications for a young girl/woman at that time.  Her ability to not only accept but to truly embrace the situation is exemplary and Mary’s canticle leaves no doubt as to her faithfulness even if all the implications were not totally understood:

 My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaid's lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed.

As the alleluia verse states: Blessed is the Virgin Mary who kept the word of God and pondered it in her heart. Even the gospel helps us to see that while Mary did not completely understand, she kept all these things in her heart.  The Virgin Mary provides the example for me to trust and believe even when I don’t entirely understand, having faith that God’s plan is the best plan for me.  I recall hitting my knees many years ago praying to Mary when I was concerned about my son’s safety and begging for her protection of my son even though she knew the grief of losing her son. She continues to be my “go-to” and safety net, finding great comfort in the arms of my Mother.

This song says it all:
Hail Mary, Gentle Woman