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“Wisdom has built her house; she has set up her seven columns; she has dressed her meat, mixed her wine…she has spread her table. She has sent out her maidens; she calls…Let whoever is simple turn in here…she says, Come, eat of my food and drink of the wine I have mixed!”
It is delightful to see these words in today’s first reading about wisdom, a gift of the Holy Spirit, as feminine. Women all over the world are reading or hearing these hospitable words this weekend and smiling with hopeful hearts.
There was a time in the not-so-distant past when we would not have seen a woman near the altar. My sons had the privilege of approaching the altar as altar servers, my daughters did not. Today, the daughters of both my sons and my daughters are altar servers.
Many years ago, during the AIDS epidemic, I created a program to offer consolation to individuals and families affected by the disease. I knew the pain firsthand and wanted to reach out to other families. My work was presented to the local bishop ( a warm and wonderful man) and greeted with praise and gratitude. However, he told me he would have to find a priest to oversee the program. It was confusing, but the reality of the time.
Teresa Runyon, the Pastoral Associate at Padre Serra in Camarillo, is the pastor's right hand. When he is away, she steps into his place. She is an integral part of everything that happens at the parish. As a contemporary of my daughters, she was not considered as an altar server in her youth.
Rhonda Miska, a poet, preacher, and writer, is the Communications Director at the Church of St. Timothy in Blaine, Minnesota. In 2021, she launched the Catholic Women's Preaching Circle with Kelly Adamson, Director of Residence Life and the Campus Ministry Graduate Assistant Program at Dayton University in Ohio. The program offers women the opportunity to create and deliver a homily. Its rigorous ten-week program challenges women as it initiates their formation as preachers. In September the sixth cohort will begin meeting.
Over time, with prayer, education, and bold patience, women have moved into ministries the Church might not have imagined or abandoned. Many women have acknowledged this movement with gratitude as they advocate for and encourage other women to step forward to serve within the Church.
Today’s first reading ends with these words, “Forsake foolishness that you may live; advance in the way of understanding.” These are words for all of us to take to heart as the Church looks to what the future holds.
Peace,
Anne
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