Today is International Women’s Day: a global day initially suggested by Clara Zetkin in 1910 at an International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen and focused on lifting up the the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.
It is also a day for celebrating the gifts we’ve been given by our spiritual foremothers down through the ages. Those known and unknown to us. Those whose stories are part of the story we tell about who we are and how we’ve come to be in this world — and those whose stories are lost to mists of time but we carry in our spiritual DNA nonetheless.
May their memories be a blessing to you today. May you be a blessing to the world in need of hope and healing. And may this blessing bless us all as we go forward into God’s future, striving to align our lives with God’s love, justice and compassion.
Blessing for International Women’s Day
May the God of Eve teach you to dance.
May the God of Hagar bring you comfort in the desert.
May the God of Miriam bring companions to you when you struggle.
May the God of Deborah teach you courage for your battles.
May the Christ who knew Mary and Martha show you the way of balance.
May the Christ who healed the bent-over woman heal your pain.
May the Christ of Mary Magdala send you out to proclaim your story.
In the name of Christ who is the memory and hope of the future.
Niluka Perera, Sri Lanka
One in the Spirit EDLA 