[They] provided for them out of their resources
Published Sep 16, 2022 12:05 am
REFLECTIONS TODAY
Jesus differs radically from the usual Jewish understanding of women’s role. The rabbis exclude women from their disciples. To them, the women seem incapable of studying the Law. On the contrary, Jesus cures women, associates with them, and includes them among his followers. Luke presents women as ministering to Jesus and the Twelve in a role surprising for the day: providing for them, and from their own means, with one of them a married woman (Joanna, the wife of Chuza). Luke foreshadows their role at Calvary (23:49), at the empty tomb (24:10), and, with Mary and the Twelve, in prayerful expectation of the promised Holy Spirit (Acts 1:14).
In his Letter to Women (June 29, 1995), St. John Paul II sadly acknowledges that “women’s dignity has often been unacknowledged and their prerogatives misrepresented; they have often been relegated to the margins of society and even reduced to servitude” (n 3). He acknowledges that objective blame is partly due not just to a few members of the Church. To set women free from every kind of exploitation and dominion, the Pope points out to the Gospel that contains an ever relevant message which goes back to the attitude of Jesus Christ himself. “Transcending the established norms of his own culture, Jesus treated women with openness, respect, acceptance and tenderness. In this way he honored the dignity which women have always possessed according to God’s plan and in his love” (n 3). How much of Jesus’ message has been heard and acted upon by us?
Gospel • Luke 8:1-3
Jesus journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God. Accompanying him were the Twelve and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their resources.
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2022,” St. Pauls, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.
Jesus differs radically from the usual Jewish understanding of women’s role. The rabbis exclude women from their disciples. To them, the women seem incapable of studying the Law. On the contrary, Jesus cures women, associates with them, and includes them among his followers. Luke presents women as ministering to Jesus and the Twelve in a role surprising for the day: providing for them, and from their own means, with one of them a married woman (Joanna, the wife of Chuza). Luke foreshadows their role at Calvary (23:49), at the empty tomb (24:10), and, with Mary and the Twelve, in prayerful expectation of the promised Holy Spirit (Acts 1:14).
In his Letter to Women (June 29, 1995), St. John Paul II sadly acknowledges that “women’s dignity has often been unacknowledged and their prerogatives misrepresented; they have often been relegated to the margins of society and even reduced to servitude” (n 3). He acknowledges that objective blame is partly due not just to a few members of the Church. To set women free from every kind of exploitation and dominion, the Pope points out to the Gospel that contains an ever relevant message which goes back to the attitude of Jesus Christ himself. “Transcending the established norms of his own culture, Jesus treated women with openness, respect, acceptance and tenderness. In this way he honored the dignity which women have always possessed according to God’s plan and in his love” (n 3). How much of Jesus’ message has been heard and acted upon by us?
Gospel • Luke 8:1-3
Jesus journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God. Accompanying him were the Twelve and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their resources.
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2022,” St. Pauls, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.