Acts 9:36-42 (NRSV)
Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas. She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. At that time she became ill and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, who heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the request, “Please come to us without delay.” So Peter got up and went with them; and when he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs. All the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was with them. Peter put all of them outside, and then he knelt down and prayed. He turned to the body and said, “Tabitha, get up.” Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he showed her to be alive. This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.
My first memory of learning about Tabitha/Dorcas is the snickers from kids my age in Sunday School that burst out when her name was read aloud. Even with all the giggling, I can remember being transfixed by her description even from a young age—“devoted to good works and acts of charity.”
I am still in awe of her, but for more reasons today. She is the only overtly named woman disciple of Jesus. Certainly, there were so many more, but it is something special and inspiring that we get to see it written for her. Without regard to any other patriarchal identifiers of family or marriage, she is solely described as a disciple of Jesus Christ. This alone shows her beautiful faithfulness and leadership in the church.
As I reflect on this passage, I am drawn further in by the collective grief of the people closest to her. There is something so sacred about a group of women together in mourning. There is something unnamed in the way we show up for each other through meals, through presence, and through reflecting on all shared experiences, like the beautiful clothing they made together.
I attended a funeral recently at my church that displayed the beautiful works of crochet and knitting that the woman made in her life for her family and friends, continuing this tradition of reflection like the women who loved Dorcas. Then, in this same church, I have heard of and witnessed the way widows care for each other in mighty ways and grieve together in all seasons. This is yet another tangible example of the way this passage carries through today.
There is so much to grieve around us. I believe in expanding our definition of the word grief. Losses come in all forms, and it is important that we be gentle with ourselves and with each other as we navigate each day. I find women to be especially good at giving permission to one another to grieve what needs to be grieved. Traumas seem to be around every turn in this season of life, but good friendship keeps showing up no matter the sadness.
I’m grateful for the life of Tabitha that we name and outrightly know as a disciple of Jesus. Even with the breathtaking story of healing we get of her, we also see the devastating grief that comes when we lose someone we love. I think about all the unnamed women of the Bible and of the history of the church throughout time that go unnamed. Millions upon millions of women have impacted the fabric of Christianity because of their faithfulness, leadership, and compassion. Let us both grieve their losses and celebrate their gifts, just as these women gathered and displayed for Tabitha.
Let us also carry on their legacy of discipleship through loving acts of charity and justice. Let us leave a trail of leadership and generosity that impacts generations to come. Let us make room for our grief together as we demonstrate what it is to make space for all our emotions and remember who changes our lives for the better.
We have a long line of strong women, named and unnamed, who form us into who we are. As it’s said, “may we know them, may we be them, may we raise them.”
Brianna Childs currently serves as a Pastoral Resident at Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas. She graduated in 2021 with a Master of Divinity from George W. Truett Theological Seminary and a Master of Social Work from the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work at Baylor University.
This blog series made possible in part by a gift from Myers Park Baptist Church, Charlotte, NC.
If you or your congregation is also using Year W this liturgical year, we would love to hear from you. Please email us at meredithstone@bwim.info. Further resources and online conversation about using the Year W lectionary can also be found at Wilda Gafney’s website: https://www.wilgafney.com/womenslectionary/