35th Annual Madeleva Lecture

In the book of Proverbs, Woman Wisdom invites all who want to learn her wise ways: “Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. Lay aside immaturity and live and walk in the way of insight.”

Like Wisdom’s feast, feminist interpretation of the Scriptures offers rich fare for addressing today’s global hungers, particularly those of women and other disadvantaged persons who long for the full flourishing of all creation. This presentation will explore texts in the Gospel of Luke in which women participate in, produce, prepare, and serve satisfying feasts (both literal and metaphorical) including: Mary, the mother of Jesus, Elizabeth, Anna, Simon’s mother-in-law, Mary and Martha, Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, and the other Galilean women.

Sr. Barbara E. Reid is the first woman religious to serve as president of Catholic Theological Union. She is a Dominican Sister of Grand Rapids, MI., and holds a PhD in Biblical studies from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., an MA in religious studies, and a BA from Aquinas College in Grand Rapids. She is a professor of New Testament studies at Catholic Theological Union, where she has taught since 1988, and where she also served as vice president and academic dean from 2009-2018. Sr. Reid is past president of the Catholic Biblical Association of America (2014-2015) and author of 10 books and numerous articles, including the forthcoming commentary on the Gospel of Luke in the Wisdom Commentary series, for which she is also general editor. Wisdom Commentary series is the first biblical commentary series to be written entirely by feminist biblical scholars. Twenty of the 58-volumes are now available from Liturgical Press. In addition to being named the 35th Madeleva Lecturer, Sr. Reid is the recipient of numerous awards and honors.