Beaten By a Girl
Psalm 87, 90 • Psalm 136
Judges 9:22-25, 50-57 • Acts 4:32--5:11 • John 2:13-25
By the time this reflection goes to press, surely we know the identity of Joe Biden’s running mate. As I write this, however, there’s only speculation, especially that his running mate will be a woman, and quite possibly a woman of color. If she is a woman, then it will be the fourth time that a female candidate has appeared on the presidential ticket of a major political party (after Hillary Clinton, Sarah Palin, and Geraldine Ferraro, for our younger readers).
Our political system is obviously very different from the world evoked in the book of Judges, with its rule of strongman after strongman (and one strong woman, Deborah). In today’s first reading, we meet a murderous fellow named Abimelech, who has killed his seventy brothers and is now at odds with the lords of Shechem. In Abimelech’s final battle, he approaches a tower where all the inhabitants of a town that Abimielech has besieged are shut and clinging to life on the tower’s roof. Abimelech’s plan is to set the tower on fire. However, a woman throws a millstone down from the tower and crushes Abimelech’s skull.
With what must have been his dying breath, Abimelech asks the young man who carries his armor to run him through with a sword. Abimelech can’t bear to think that people would say of him, “A woman killed him.” Abimelech’s dying wish is to be killed by a man instead.
I’m thankful that elections play a bigger role than political murders in selecting our officials. But, I also can’t deny the brutalities of this process, and its ugly treatment of women with some measure of power. I hope to see more victories of wisdom, resourcefulness, and true service to those who are trapped and afraid.
Written by Lora Walsh, Priest Associate
Lora is passionate about building inclusive communities and nurturing the spirituality of contemplatives-in-action. She holds a PhD in Medieval Christianity. During the pandemic, she officiates and preaches every few Sundays and Wednesdays.