Women in the Bible Make a Difference: Reading

• First part of the evening: monologue by Mary Magdalene, by Rit Vangeel.

Mary Magdalene looks back on her life, which took an impressive turn because of a seemingly trivial encounter with a traveling prophet. As a woman in a man's world, it was exceptional that she could be part of the entourage of Jesus of Nazareth. Her testimony speaks about that awareness of her privileged position, but much more than that she speaks about the overwhelming way in which she experienced his life, his suffering, his death and resurrection.

Rit Vangeel is first and foremost a fellow believer. Rit has been using the gifts she received for more than 45 years in every area of living together as a church where they can be meaningful. Leading enthusiastically in religious singing in any warm-hearted setting is particularly close to her heart. But the gift of speech also finds its way now and then, as in the monologue of Mary Magdalene.

• Second part of the evening: women in the Bible make a difference, by Jean Bastiaens.

The Bible is actually an entire library of books, created in different time periods and even in different cultural circumstances. Yet most texts were created in a patriarchal society where men were in charge. Nevertheless, this fact is being broken in many places, and by women who show courage and who manage to change the fate of Israel's history. In our country too, the Bible has long been read and interpreted by men. As a result, many notable Biblical women went unnoticed. In addition, Jesus showed a striking openness to women. And we can say the same about Paul. It will be a fascinating search for a voice that has been heard with increasing emphasis for half a century, partly thanks to very innovative women's studies.

Jean Bastiaens is a Bible expert and deacon of the diocese of Antwerp. He worked as a translator on the New Bible Translation, taught at the priest training in Den Bosch and in Bruges and was a staff member of the Pastoral Act training in the diocese of Antwerp. He also worked for five years in the archdiocese and was director of Bible House Zevenkerken and the Bible Service Diocese of Bruges for more than twelve years. He recently published the book Bible Words from A to Z together with Lieve Wouters.

The lecture will be recorded so that the recording can be shared later.