So, why the mixed feelings?
Because the first thing I always notice is that all who Jesus called were men, and that makes me sad.
Could women not be called?
Is there something about women that excludes them from that privilege?
I could try excusing the calling only men with a reference to the culture of the time. It wouldn’t be comely for women to be around men in that close a company in Jewish society. It gives rise to questions like:
Should the men be even talking to the women?
Would that leave them open to gossip and hinder the gospel message?
What about the time of the month that would render women unclean?
Would it be harder for women to leave spouses and children as the men did?
If this only happened in the first century Palestine, I could accept it as an historical event in a certain cultural context. However, I don’t want to hide this preference for calling men behind a cultural veil. Throughout the centuries, the idea that only men could be called to be disciples has been slow to change.
Even now in 2024, more than two thousand years later, I have only to look at photographs in the media to see gatherings of men. In any important discussion or major event, the photographs usually depict a gathering where the majority are men. It is changing and I do welcome the huge strides forward that have been made nevertheless in some church leadership positions there is often a prominence of men.
It saddens me that the women are still often silenced and the gifts and wisdom they could offer ignored.
I would love to think that if Jesus was physically calling disciples today, women would be included. However, I want to be realistic and, sadly, I find it hard to believe that women would be universally welcomed in all callings.
I know personally women who have felt a calling to a certain area of ministry and have met barriers to service for no other reason than they are female. What a loss!
I am glad that in Lindisfarne “gender, sexual orientation, age, race or class are not barriers to service and function. We believe that both men and women are called by G*d to the offices of bishop, priest and deacon. In G*d’s sight we are all equal.” (New Way of Living 255)
So, back to mixed feelings — while I feel great sadness at the exclusion of women right at the onset of the gospel; I do think there is something noble about the idea of a calling which I don’t want to ignore. A calling (or vocation) is well worth spending time pondering.
From the text today, I can gleam that a calling is something that is hard to resist. It seems that those disciples could do no other than follow Jesus. In addition, a calling gives purpose, fulfillment and direction to life. I think a calling is for everyone not just for a few select people. It is really important that each person finds their own calling or vocation.
For most people their calling isn’t going to be as spectacular as the incidences cited in the gospels. It won’t necessarily be grand or thrust one into the limelight. It may be hard. It may be quiet and unseen. A calling always results in service to others in whatever way that is manifest.
Lots to muse on in the text this week.
