Friday
of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
(I Timothy 2c-12; Luke 8:1-3)
When St. Dominic was founding the
Dominican Order, he started by establishing a convent of women converted from
the heretical sect in southern France.
They provided spiritual support for Dominic’s soon to be organized band
of friars. Dominic could draw from
Jesus’ experience in today’s gospel.
Luke mentions that a group of women
accompanies Jesus and the Twelve proclaiming the Kingdom of God. The gospel emphasizes that they are more than
enthusiastic followers but provide strategic material support for the
troupe. The third gospel generally takes
pains to present women alongside men. The
prophetess Anna, for example, follows Simeon in welcoming the infant Jesus in
the temple. Also, the parable of the
woman who searches her house for a lost coin accompanies that of the shepherd
who does not rest until he finds the lost sheep.
Especially in the Catholic Church women are
often paid scant attention. Such
practice betrays Jesus’ legacy. Including
women in decision-making positions, as Pope Francis has promised, is in line
with Jesus’ own practice.
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