Women were not allowed to testify

in many ancient courts…emotional,

too sympathetic, might believe a lie

told by a child…too kind, too spiritual,

too likely to forgive, to set one free

who owed a debt…

A woman might think love, a family,

a whole community more vital than revenge–

might choose to save a life, not kill.

The Gospel writers must have paused before

reporting that women were at the tomb the third day,

and were first to find it empty.

Mary Magdalen, who had a quite sordid reputation:

is prime witness to Christ’s resurrection?

– Steve Shoemaker, Urbana, IL, April 6, 2012, host of “Keepin’ the Faith”, can be heard anytime @ www.will.illinois.edu/keepinthefaith, including archive programs, two with Gordon C. Stewart.