We began last April with Meggan Watterson’s Mary Magdalene Revealed, which explores the Gospel of Mary Magdalene, her place as the first apostle, and the myths and misunderstandings that grew around her. There are more “scholarly” texts about Mary’s Gospel, but Watterson draws fresh parallels to other sacred writings and imbues the book with reflections and anecdotes about her own faith journey.

Various forms or “threads” of Christianity existed before the Bible was codified in 325 at the Council of Nicea. Several texts such as the Gospel of Thomas and the Gospel of Philip, as well as Mary’s gospel were rejected. In 367 the Bishop of Alexandria ordered all these extra-canonical texts destroyed. Fortunately, some Coptic monks saved them in urns and caves, which were discovered hundreds of years later.

Watterson asserts: The various scriptures that didn’t make the cut to be a part of the canonical bible all had a common theme: the confirmation of the presence of women in Christ’s ministry and his exceptional relationship with Mary Magdalene.

Mary’s gospel reveals a love that proclaims we are inherently good; we are not to feel ashamed or unworthy for being human. Indeed, our task is to become fully human, recognizing that we often falter, but that our soul is limitless, and we are made for love and integration. Some of these themes also appeared in the writing of women mystics during the Middle Ages.

In the years following the Council of Nicea, however, such ideas were too threatening to the leaders of the newly institutionalized church. As was any thought of women being important to Jesus and the faith that follows him. So, in 591 Pope Gregory wrote Homily 33 proclaiming that the faithful should hold Mary as the penitent whore, thus undermining both the teachings associated with Mary and women’s capacity to take on leadership roles.

Our group was fascinated by this book and distressed at how long it has taken for women to have equal footing in the church. Indeed, in many denominations, we are still excluded. We have continued to explore women’s theology through several books, and we are now enjoying Sarah Bessey’s Field Notes for the Wilderness.

The Sowing Circle meets on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month at 12:00pm in La Paz.

Newcomers are always invited and welcome.

Sharon Stohrer is the contact person for this women’s book club. You can email her at sharonstohrer@att.net if you are interested or have questions.