Gospel Delights!

Friday, September 22, 2023

1 Tm 6:2-12; Lk 8:1-3

Today’s gospel plays a revelatory role by naming women and their constructive collaboration in Jesus’ public ministry. It also helps us understand that the active role that women played in Jesus’ mission has biblical foundations. Jesus’ attitude toward and inclusion of women leaves behind three points for our consideration and application.  

1.Jesus had women disciples. The ministry of Jesus accorded an integral place for women. Today’s passage and the ones on Mary Magdalene, and Martha and Mary are clear indicators of their inalienable part in Jesus’ mission. It would be fair to say that Jesus depended on their care to sustain his itinerant mission which required his constant moving from one village and town to another. With him was the band of apostles and disciples too. The simple fact that someone or some people would have provided for them to eat and helped them with accommodation explains the importance of women’s contribution to Jesus’ mission. 

2. They were resourceful and independent. Though it was a patriarchal society, these women enjoyed significant social standing which would also explain their agency and freedom to be drawn to the message of Jesus and follow him voluntarily. Their resourcefulness enabled them to support Jesus’ mission with generosity and willingness. It is no wonder that the women who were also a marginalized group, responded enthusiastically to the liberative message of Jesus. 

3. They contributed to the Kingdom mission. Jesus’ inclusion of women was not some form of tokenism. It was a radical act of making women partakers of God’s mission which can only be inclusive and participatory. When the women were not given due recognition, Jesus made them sharers of his mission. Luke chooses to name them specifically. That is why Luke’s gospel is also referred to as the ‘Gospel of Women.’ What better instance for Jesus’ recognition of women would we need than Jesus making them the first witnesses of his resurrection? 

Denying women their rightful place in the ministry of the Church and disregarding them from participatory decision-making roles are exclusionary and unchristian. While Jesus’ mission model included and empowered women, the synodal path of Pope Francis envisions a Church that will be enriched by everyone’s participation without bias or exclusion. Authentic imitation of Jesus would require that we ensure the equal participation of women in the Church’s mission. 

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar