Holy Mothers: Three Films by Marika Rose
Dr Marika Rose, who is Senior Lecturer in Theology and Philosophy at the University of Winchester, has made three short films for us about women, feminism and the Bible. You can find them all on our YouTube channel.
The first is about Tamar, Rahab and sex work. The second is about Ruth, Bathsheba and marriage, and Marika’s final film is about Mary. These five women are examples of the way that gender, power, and culture formed and continue to form women’s lives and identities. They are also connected deeply with the genealogy of Jesus and the wider history of God’s people.
Marika’s approach is accessible, clear, and inspiring. By reading biblical passages closely, these women’s determination and wisdom, as well as their trust in God, are revealed in new ways.
Marika was going to be our speaker at this year’s women’s retreat. Because of Covid-19 we were unable to come together for the retreat, so Marika agreed to make these films instead. Now they’re available for everyone to enjoy.
If you’d like to use the films in a mini-retreat at home, you might like to combine them with reading the Bible passages about each of these women, watch the film, and then have a time of silent contemplation closing with prayer. Even taking a few minutes in the day to be nourished by scripture and study can be really transformative and can bring us into closer relationship with God.
Tamar: Genesis 38
Rahab: Joshua 2
Ruth: Ruth (it’s a short book, read the whole thing!)
Bathsheba: 2 Samuel 11-12; 1 Kings 1-2
Mary: all four Gospels explore the life and importance of Mary in different ways. Highlights to read:
Matthew: Chapters 1 and 2; 12:46-50; 13:53-58
Luke: Chapters 1 and 2
John: Chapters 2 and 19