Lent: Journey Through the Holy Land – Part 27

We stood around inside the Women’s Atrium, by the 8 pillars with names of women who aided and supported Jesus in the ministry of his work. Among the 8 pillars, one was inscribed with Maria Magdalena , another for all the unnamed women, and another for all of the future women who spread the good news of Jesus.

October 23, 2019

When you walk into the church in Magdala, you enter into a large atrium, the Women’s Atrium. Around the room are 8 pillars, each representing different women.

Here are the designations of the 8 pillars (from Magdala.org)

• Mary Magdalene – follower of Jesus and present at his crucifixion (Luke 8:2)
• Susana and Joanna, the wife of Chuza – followers of Jesus (Luke 8:3)
• Mary and her sister Martha – followers of Jesus (Luke 10:38)
• Salome, the mother of James and John – supporter of Jesus and wife of Zebedee (Matthew 20:20)
• Simon Peter’s mother-in-law – healed by Jesus, then supporter of Jesus (Matthew 8:15)
• Mary, wife of Cleopas – follower of Jesus and present at his crucifixion (John 19:25)
• Many other women – the many women who followed and supported Jesus (Mark 15:41)
• Unmarked Pillar – for women of all time who love God and live by faith

Around the ceiling is a Latin phrase – I didn’t write down the translation that our tour guide gave us – but I found a rough translation on the internet (if anyone knows Latin – please help a girl out!)

Hoc loco sancto sanctissimae trinitati ecclesia grates rependit pro mysterio mulieris pro unaquaque mulierum pro aeterna earum dignitate proque magnalibus a deo in humanarum aetatum historia in ipsis peractis.

Roughly translating to:

“In this holy place, the Church gives thanks to the Most Holy Trinity for the mystery of woman – for that which constitutes the eternal measure of her dignity, for the great works of God, which throughout human history have been accomplished in and through her.” 

To me this space at Magdala was powerful. Throughout history, women have had to fight for their place in the church, despite the stories of women in the Bible like Mary Magdalene who with other women provided for Jesus and his disciples through their own resources. Incredible women, women who overcame adversity, women who were healed through the touch of Jesus’ clothes, women who had seven demons cast out of them, and women who were social outcasts were incredible miracles and witnesses to Jesus’ ministry here on earth.

Who is a woman of faith who has impacted your life that you can pray for and thank? Who do you see as an emerging woman of faith that you can pray for and encourage?

I have been incredibly blessed to be encouraged and prayed for by so many people who have influenced my faith. Who can you bless with your encouragement and prayers?

God we thank You for the women who courageously live out their faith. Thank You for their wisdom, truth, inspiring faith, and selflessness. Lord bless them as they continue to bless others. Thank You for the women who have gone before us, and for the women who are yet to come. May You use them for the work of Your kingdom. Amen.

Abbey Jo