Ordination Day

Thursday, my writing day, I celebrated my eightieth birthday. Without any alcohol but after the presence of dear friends and colleagues, I am feeling very mellow and so will write only briefly.

Southeastern Pennsylvania Women’s Ordination Conference has celebrated Ordination Day outside the Cathedral for forty-three years, which is an odd referent to the year of my birth. The planners thought it a good idea for me to share the wisdom of my years in a homily on Saturday. I’ve been waiting for it to arrive.

I did get as far as printing the Gospel they chose for this woman-celebrated mass:

“Conflict over Authority” from the Gospel of Mary

   Andrew said to the brothers, “Say what you will about what Mary has said, but I don’t believe that the Savior said these things.”

    In response Peter spoke out with the same concerns. He asked them, “The Savior didn’t speak with a woman without our knowledge, did He? Will we turn around and all listen to her? Did he prefer her to us?”

     Then Mary wept and said to Peter, “My brother Peter, what are you thinking? Do you really think I thought this up by myself in my heart, or that I’m lying about the Savior?”

       In response Levi said to Peter, “Peter, you’ve always been angry. Now I see you debating with Mary like the adversaries; but if the Savior made her worthy, who are you to reject her? Surely the Savior knows her very well. That’s why He loved her more than us.

   “Rather we should be ashamed, clothe ourselves with perfect humanity, acquire it for ourselves as He instructed us, and preach the Gospel; we should not be laying down any other rule or other law beyond what the Savior said.”

    Then they started to go out to teach and to preach.

Mostly I have questions.

What stands out? A conspiracy theory among the brothers?

An attack on clericalism?

How threatening is this woman? Listening to her means giving up a self-importance that Levi (Matthew?) identifies. The brothers don’t believe Mary because her claims threaten their privilege. Dealing with her causes divisions among the brethren.

The privacy of a love relationship between Jesus and Mary is hinted at. A love that the brothers fear, that they can’t handle.

How does she claim authority? Weeping. Disbelief. Even in apparent powerlessness, she has greater self-knowledge and confidence than they do. She tells the truth. She can admit to being hurt by their petty suspicions, their jealousy.

Inside the Basilica of St. Peter and Paul, seven new priests will be ordained as we are outside. The first-century “conflict over authority” has yet to be resolved. I can’t honestly state what the brothers inside believe Jesus might think about us Marys outside, but clearly we are challenging the authority that affirms their new positions.

What is the real lesson here, beyond the bumbling brothers and the weeping Mary?

Don’t make up silly rules. Just preach the Gospel of Jesus.