REFLECTIONS TODAY
It is heartwarming how Luke mentions the women disciples as participants in Jesus’ proclamation of the Gospel, side by side with the Twelve.
These women have the common characteristic of being “liberated” by Jesus from various suffering, empowering them now to be partakers of his own ministry. Moreover, Luke explicitly indicates that some of them are women of means, who “provided for them out of their resources” (v 3), another precious means of collaboration.
Applying this to the life of the Church now, Pope Francis writes, “The Church acknowledges the indispensable contribution which women make to society through the sensitivity, intuition and other distinctive skill sets which they, more than men, tend to possess… I readily acknowledge that many women share pastoral responsibilities with priests, helping to guide people, families and groups and offering new contributions to theological reflection” (Evangelii Gaudium, 103).
The Church’s mission needs the collaboration and participation of all, both women and men. And it is part of our journey of conversion as universal Church that the female presence be better appreciated and valued. Who are the significant “women disciples” of Jesus who have acted as role models for you and have helped you mature in the life of discipleship?
First Reading • 1 Cor 15:12-20
Brothers and sisters: If Christ is preached as raised from the dead, how can some among you say there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then neither has Christ been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then empty too is our preaching; empty, too, your faith.
Then we are also false witnesses to God, because we testified against God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, neither has Christ been raised, and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins.
Then those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are the most pitiable people of all. But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
Gospel • Luke 8:1-3 1
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: “366 Days with the Lord 2024,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.