Persistent Voices Found: Celebrating the Philadelphia Eleven

 

Ruth 1:15-22 and Luke 18: 1-8 are appointed for Proper 13  in The Women's Lectionary for the Whole Church Year B

Voices Found # 25

Jesus describes a forceful woman, a widow who 

refuses to bend before a judge, a man of power,

whose judgements worked to no good end: she knew she had

power, too, and trusted in the strength she knew.

And day by day she spoke for justice, and word by word

injustice waned until impassive will relented,

and her impassioned faith remained: believing God would

make a way, she found the grace that faith conveys.

New we, observing, are invited to recollect what

faith can gain when faithful people are undaunted

and hope, in conflict, is sustained: as we, like she, wield

stubborn trust, God comes to move the world through us.

Words: Michael Hudson (based on Luke 18:1-8)

Music: Wer nur den lieben, Georg Neumark (1621-1681)

Ruth said:

Do not press me to forsake you

or to turn back from following you.

Where you go, I will go,

where you abide, I will abide;

your people shall be my people,

and your God my God.

Ruth 1:15-16 (tr. Gafney)

These lessons highlight women of persistence, undaunted and forceful.  Ruth insisted on following Naomi to Bethlehem, as an unwanted immigrant, trusting inter mother-in-law and the God of the Hebrews. 

Another persistent one, the nameless widow, kept asking, demanding justice.   In faith, she continued to seek the reign of the Most High. She knew that God would honor her faithfulness; the Eternal One would provide for her needs.  

Today is the celebration of the ordination of the Philadelphia Eleven.  These lessons and hymns about persistence are especially appropriate in celebrating those courageous forceful women and their victory, their triumph over powerful forces of injustice.  

Meditation:

Voices Found # 90

God of freedom, God of justice, 

you whose love is strong as death,

you who saw the dark of prison, 

you who knew the price of faith--

touch our world of sad oppression

 with your Spirit's healing breath.

Words: Shirley Erena Murray (1931-2020)

Music: Libertad, Robert A. M. Ross

Mothering God, thank you for the bold ministry of the Philadelphia Eleven and all courageous foremothers who inspired women to serve  God  as leaders of prayer, dance,  and song.