WHAT DOES SCRIPTURE SAY ABOUT WHO WAS WITH JESUS?
Today’s Gospel, a short one, from Luke 8:1-3, is all for us women:
“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.”
Some women. That came seem rather vague but Luke does mention a number of them by name. There are familiar names to us, Mary Magdalene, Joanna and Susanna.
Then it gets open-ended “many others who provided for them out of their resources.” This is where we get to come in. We are included in those “many others” here and now in 2024! How exciting is that? We get opportunities every day to be an active part of that amazing group of first followers of Jesus.
As wives, mothers, and friends we are providing for so many others and therefore Jesus : ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Matt 25:40.
It’s actually cool when we think of the work we do as a real part of accompanying Jesus, isn’t it? Many of us have watched episodes of The Chosen, so we place ourselves on set, wearing in a tunic, with a head covering and walking down the dusty roads with Jesus.
AND FOR US, TODAY?
Taking from my pastor’s homily this morning, he told everyone to think of these women’s faith in letting go of their previous life to follow Jesus.
They had real perseverance that even the apostles lacked. Outside of John, all the other men ran from the cross. The women remained and were the first at the tomb in the morning.
And those resources? Who knows who brought what but it isn’t always about money. It was their time and their talents. Perhaps as cooks, organizers or business women. They were willing to share it all.
They had a selfless love that we can pray for, meditate on and strive to imitate. They all did their very best with what God had given them and were willing gave it right back to Christ to be used as needed.
As the school year gets started, your clubs get up and running remember you are one of many others; the women following Jesus wherever He asks us to go. Everything you do for others can easily be offered to Jesus.
Remember the Blessed Mother and St. Therese are always here to encourage us and I’ll be praying for you as I make this same walk with Jesus!
(James Tissot (Nantes, France, 1836–1902, Chenecey–Buillon, France). The Holy Women (Les femmes saintes), 1886–1896).
