Friday, September 17, 2021

 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.