February 25

Today in 1870, Hiram Rhodes Revels of Mississippi, a pastor in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, became the first African American sworn in to the United States Senate. Before the Civil War, he had been imprisoned for preaching to Black communities. Eventually, white supremacists in Southern states managed to undo the progress of Reconstruction, in part because they feared powerful and persuasive leaders like Reverend Senator Revels. 

Today is also the Feast Day of Robert of Arbrissel, who died in 1116. He was the founder of Fontevraud Abbey, a unique community in that it contained both monastic men and women, and it was run by an abbess. Robert was an itinerant preacher who irritated all the right people. They also objected to his acceptance of diverse people (including former prostitutes) as fellow disciples. Robert’s charismatic preaching and popular authority challenged both rich nobles and traditionalist clergy, but Fontevraud eventually became a place of both religiously and politically powerful women.

Today is also the birthday of Tony Campolo, in 1935. Tony was a sociologist, pastor, author, and vocal advocate for progressive Christianity. He was a popular speaker on college campuses and in churches favoring social justice. He died just a few months ago in November of 2024.

Reflection:

We had the opportunity to visit Fontevraud Abbey two years ago, and it was fascinating to see evidence that women, in this woman-led community way back in the twelfth century, held just as much respect and authority as the men. In the photo above, a mural depicts Louise de Bourbon telling the story of Pentecost—which features as many women disciples as men. 

In the photo below, the Abbess is telling the story of the Last Supper. In the background, sitting in the very middle of the mural, in the front row of disciples is, I believe, Mary Magdalene. If you count, there are twelve male disciples (including Judas, sitting at the table in the far background). The fact that the Abbess includes Mary in this scene so clearly is a pretty explicit acknowledgement of the community’s acceptance of Mary Magdalene as one of Jesus’s inner circle.

When Tony Campolo spoke at the Southern Baptist Convention in the 1980’s, he said said this:

He was not invited back.

Prayer: Great Spirit, you made human beings in all their diversity in your image, in part so we would know we could never have a complete picture of you without including all genders, ethnicities, and abilities. Your image is stamped on all of creation. Help us to stretch toward your kingdom which is marked by its diversity, its equity, and its inclusion. Amen.