FRIDAY, TWENTY FOURTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Memorial of Saint Andrew Kim Taegon and Companions
1 Cor 15: 12-20 Ps 17: 1, 6-8, 15 Lk 8: 1-3
EQUALITY IN THE EYES OF THE MASTER
Women in Palestine in the time of Jesus lacked a public role, a public voice, and the freedom to be individuals. Rabbis detested women and considered them to be little more than goods or instruments of seduction. Men must therefore avoid talking to or being seen with women in public and maintain a safe distance from them. They were cornered and kept apart from men in the synagogues so they could stay hidden.
In contrast, Jesus demonstrates an entirely different attitude towards women. To his disciples’ surprise, he addresses them in public. As we see in today’s gospel passage, he does something that no Jewish rabbi would have ever done: he accepts them as disciples. Without a doubt, he would have made them apostles, but he would have had to stop short of that since no one would have agreed to listen to them. After the Resurrection, Christ did however, first appear to women. Jesus obviously believed that women had equal value to men. He chose one to be an Apostle to the apostles.
The women are the main characters in today’s passage. Even while the Twelve are the subject of the majority of the gospel’s highlights, the gospel does contain fragments of information on the Lord’s female disciples. Even if the women did not actively participate in the proclamation of the gospel, their participation cannot be disregarded.
As long as the messenger is in excellent health, the message is fine. Before the mission can begin, its fundamental requirements must be satisfied. Thus, we must pay gratitude to all the unknown women who helped Christ’s mission succeed in any small manner today. In fact, we could argue that they make up the other half of the mission. The disciples would not have been able to proceed if their burden with the practical requirements of carrying out their mission was not fulfilled.
Response: When I awake, O Lord, I shall be filled with the vision of your presence.
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