“When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week,

he appeared first to Mary Magdalene,

out of whom he had driven seven demons.

She went and told those who had been with him

and who were mourning and weeping.

When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him,

they did not believe it.”

Mark 16:9-11

It’s amazing how I can read the story of Jesus’ resurrection at least as many times as I am old and each time see something different!

I’ve known, in my head, that Mary was “not believed” when she told the disciples of the resurrection. I remember studying Biblical History, how the voice of women was not heard in court, how the divorce of a woman was casual at any whim of her husband, how women usually didn’t travel with men, how Jesus defied culture and tradition.

But I never thought of the pain, the emotion, Mary must have felt as she walked away from the disciples who didn’t believe her.

It was as if all the acceptance of women Jesus had done had disappeared with his death.

She was once again invisible, without a voice. She wasn’t important. All the work she had done to faithfully prepare for his burial was also invisible. The disciples had deserted Jesus and had not seen Mary at the foot of the cross, watching his life drain out. All the love and devotion she had for him was, well, invisible.

Had she always been invisible? Had they just tolerated her presence? Was she just there to serve them as she served Jesus?

In the moment when Mary was overcome with joy after talking with her risen Lord and Savior, she was rejected. There was no one to share it with who believed her. Those closest to her, who needed to hear the message of hope and share the excitement, rejected her words, rejected her experience, rejected her emotions.

Why did they?

It could have been the social setting, the disciples falling back into cultural norms. It could have been her character – after all, they had seen her possessed with seven demons! It could have been jealousy – Mary saw Jesus when they didn’t.

I don’t know why they rejected her excitement, but I just feel her walking away, dejected, no one to share with, to believe in her, maybe even doubting within herself if it never happened.

I don’t know why women are ignored…

But in this case, in many cases, women have something to say. Sometimes, it is an accusation of pain. Sometimes, it is an example of hope and joy. Sometimes it is wisdom.

Women have a voice, a unique perspective from God. They need to be heard. They need to be believed, even if it is not shared by others who are considered more credible. Even if it doesn’t fit current realities and what feels like fact. Even if it doesn’t fit cultural norms.

Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. 

Do not scoff at prophecies, 

but test everything that is said.

Hold on to what is good.

                                     I Thessalonians 5:19-21