Who Do You Say That I am?
This question was posed by Jesus to his apostles in the region of Caesarea Philippi, on or near the feast of Yom Kippur, when the name of the Lord was pronounced by the High Priest in the Temple. He asked his disciples, “who do people say the Son of Man is?” (Matt. 16:13) The identity of the Lord was originally revealed to Moses in the Burning Bush on Mt Sinai when he inquired about God’s identity. “…Tell them I AM has sent me to you.” (Exodus 3:14)
Jesus’ question makes a direct reference to his identity: do the people recognize him as the Messiah? After giving him a number of answers, Jesus made the question personal asking, “who do you say that I am?” Peter proclaims Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God, receiving a blessing in return. (Matt 16:15-17)
The 9th annual Women’s Encounter at Magdala places this question in the mouth of women. In answer, the world offers an abundance of explanations about feminine identity. Many prefer not to specify, others guess, some speak from a variety of ideologies or personal experiences, and there is a growing number who declare the question unanswerable. A number of individuals make this inquiry about the femininity of philosophy and religion. What does reason say I am? Who does God say I am? Time and space are needed both to ask this question and to formulate a satisfying answer.
Providing this time and space – for reflection, conversation and celebration of feminine identity – is what the 9th Annual Women’s Encounter at Magdala seeks to provide. Guided by an international group of female philosophers, educators, religious leaders, entrepreneurs, and musicians, we will celebrate women’s feminine identity with two and half days of conferences, dialogue, music, activities, and prayer in the Judeo-Christian tradition, on the beautiful shores of the Sea of Galilee.
Themes ranging from philosophical aspects around the formation of feminine identity, and women’s identity as presented in the Bible and in the person of Mary Magdalene, to a look at challenges women face in the west and the Middle East, will be presented. In addition, participants will have the chance to pray together in both the Christian and Jewish traditions, as well as time to mingle and share their experiences, thoughts, and projects over activities such as beer tasting, a mosaic ‘Wine & Design’ project, optional hikes and archeological visits.
The two days of celebrating feminine beauty and achievement will come to a finale with exceptional concerts from renowned female musicians on site.
As St. Paul VI said, “the hour is coming, in fact, has come, when the vocation of women is being acknowledged in its fullness, the hour in which women acquire in the world an influence, an effect and a power never hitherto achieved. That is why, at his moment when the human race is undergoing so deep a transformation, women imbued with a spirit of the Gospel can do so much to aid humanity in not falling.
Find out more about the event here
