Tuesday, 22 July 2025

Deliciousness

 


Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ”Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her.              John 20:18


I know the deliciousness

of a treasure held within

I was on a silent retreat

when news of the expected arrival

of our first grandchild was shared

Remaining in silence

treasuring that gift

of joy

of wonder

of anticipation

was a gift that amplified the delight

and somehow deepened the treasure

And I thought of Mary Magdalene

alone with the news of Jesus resurrection

How long did she allow

that intimate joy

to froth and fizz inside her

How long did she contain that treasure

as a delectable secret

with which she had been entrusted

How long did she bask in the knowledge

that was hers alone

I hope she revelled in her splendid isolation

as the one to whom Jesus chose to reveal

the truth of resurrection

I hope she took a moment - or more

to luxuriate in the exquisite revelation

before she fulfilled her commission

to go and proclaim the resurrection

to the world.


Liz Crumlish, Feast of Mary Magdalene 2025

Monday, 7 July 2025

Women with broad shoulders

 

The Nunnery, Iona

Giving thanks today...

for all those women who paved a way

and on whose shoulders I have stood...

For Sarah and her laughter,

 Hagar who named God,

Rebekah the trickster

and Leah, the unloved

Athaliah, a queen with sass

and Jehosheba, the righteous one

Miriam, awesome sister

and Abigail, a prophet

Gomer, lover of men

and Bathsheba, creator of kings

Shiphrah and Puah, subversive midwives

Esther, the beautiful one

and Ruth, the faithful one

Naomi, the depressed

and Anna, the fulfilled

Dorcas and Martha, home makers and creators

Mary the willing

and Elizabeth, the wise

Julian, the passionate

and Hilda, the founder

Teneu, who birthed a saint,

Photini, who is one

Those of the past and those of the present

Wise women

Witches, hags and crones

Birthing communities

Birthing stories.

Birthing faith, hope and love

And blazing a trail for women

throughout the ages

throughout the world.


Liz Crumlish

author of Miriam's Sisters, Deborah's Daughters

Canterbury Press March 2025


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