Backing the Right Horse

I’m opposed to horse racing and the Melbourne Cup, but when Michelle Payne won yesterday, I felt a sneaking sense of pride…

So someone happily tweeted on the morning following “the race that stops a nation”, with the news that a female jockey had won the race for the first time. The comments which have followed are largely full of praise, with the occasional murmur revealing astonishment at a woman being able to ride a horse as well as a bloke.

The latter response is the same asinine song we hear when women achieve in every other area, as people (usually men) are surprised or suspicious that surgeons and builders and judges and jockeys and prime ministers and parish ministers can succeed on two X chromosomes.

There is no surprise for those who read Scripture. The courage and character – and failings – of women are there for all to see, as God’s people find their way in the world. It has always astonished me when the Church seeks to circumscribe, even suffocate, the ministry of women. This is done explicitly and implicitly, by finding select verses and ignoring entire stories. It is done by blaming Eve (deceived deceiver) and exonerating Adam (deceived drongo), and we roll on from there.

Right now we are journeying with Naomi and Ruth, as these two courageous women face down their circumstances to wrest life from disaster. The covenant Ruth makes with Naomi echoes every marriage covenant, and every word of hope spoken by God: I will stand with you. Their courage and covenant led to the birth of David, Jesus’ lauded ancestor.

Ruth and Naomi are no exception. Consider Hannah’s faith despite Eli‘s lack, Hagar’s bravery in the face of Abraham’s weakness, Mary’s faithful acceptance of the most astonishing invitation. Let us always remember those nameless women in the Gospels, who believed, who served, who followed, who proclaimed, who witnessed the crucified and risen Lord.

Our story this week is about a nameless, impoverished widow, who places her last coins in the temple offering. Jesus both praises her sacrifice and challenges a culture which leaves her with nothing. Her prophetic act asks whether we will be spectators as “her house is devoured” by an injustice sanctioned by the church.

Shortly, another prophet will anoint Jesus and the blokes go spare, claiming financial rectitude, while missing the prophecy entirely.

These stories are vital to our faith and discipleship, for our daughters – and our sons. The place of women at the core of the Gospel is without doubt, which offers hope to all of us.

Michelle Payne’s ride was wonderful; the consequence of skill, training, a good team and a fine horse – as it always has been. Michelle is a great achiever, which may surprise some, but is of no surprise at all to God.