The presence of women among Jesus' disciples was countercultural and highly unusual

Good morning, happy Friday, and many blessings.

In today’s Gospel (Luke 8:1-3) we have the continuation of yesterday’s episode which spoke of the surprising attitude of Jesus with regard to women, when He defends the woman who was known in the town as a sinner, against the criticism of the Pharisee. Now at the beginning of chapter 8, Luke describes Jesus who goes through the villages and towns of Galilee, and the novelty is that He was not only accompanied by the disciples, but also by the women disciples.

The women follow Jesus. What surprises is that along with the men there are also women “together with Jesus”. Luke places both the men and the women disciples at the same level because all of them follow Jesus. Luke has also kept some of the names of some of these women disciples: Mary Magdalene, born in the town of Magdala. She had been cured and delivered from seven demons; Joanna, the wife of Chuza, steward of Herod Antipas, who was Governor of Galilee; Suzanne and several others. It is said that they “served Jesus with their own goods” Jesus allows a group of women “to follow” Him.

The Gospel of Mark when speaking about the women at the moment of Jesus’ death says, “There were some women who were observing at a distance and among them Mary of Magdala, Mary, the mother of James the younger and Joses, and Salome, who followed Him and served Him when he was still in Galilee, and many others who had gone up with Him to Jerusalem (Mark 15:40-41). Mark defines their attitude with three words: to follow, to serve, to go up to Jerusalem. The first Christians did not draw up a list of these women disciples who followed Jesus as they had done with the twelve disciples.

The Gospel of Luke has always been considered as the Gospel of women. In fact, Luke is the Evangelist who presents the largest number of episodes in which he underlines the relationship of Jesus with the women, and the novelty is not only in the presence of the women around Jesus, but also and, above all, in the attitude of Jesus in relation to them. Jesus touches them and allows them to touch Him without fear of being contaminated (Lk ‪7:39‬; 8:44-45,54).

Let me remind you that the presence of women among Jesus' disciples was countercultural and highly unusual. One was a woman of former demons and another attached to Herod's entourage - people who would have caused comment for Jesus when people saw them with him. He was a man who could ignore or challenge or accept the customs of the culture in their relation to his gospel. He went against many customs of the culture and religion, and his friendship with women was among the most significant.

We also see here Jesus, the man with a mission, which he felt very passionately about. It is described here as proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. I pray that I too understand my mission in these terms. I pray the same grace for the Church.

I invite you to meditate with me during the day on these two questions: In what ways do I support the mission of the Church? How are women considered in your community, in your country, in your Church?

Blessings

Fr. Luis+