The resourcefulness of women towards the growth of the mission of Christ (HOMILY FOR FRIDAY OF THE 24TH WEEK IN THE ORDINARY TIME YEAR II SEPTEMBER 2022
Homily for Friday of the 24th week in the ordinary time, year II
1Cor15:12-20; Luke 8:1-3
He declared: "If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain" (1Cor15:13-14).
It is quite obvious that for St. Paul the event of the resurrection is the basis and keystone of the Christian faith. It is the foundation upon which the proof of the authenticity of the entire Christian doctrines and revelations is given. The event of the resurrection gives a definitive confirmation to the whole ensembles truths taught by Christ Jesus. It can therefore be rightly said that all the preaching of the church right from the Apostolic times, down to this present day makes its appeal to the resurrection and draws its persuasive force form it. The event of the resurrection authenticates that all Christ had done came from God. It was the divine seal stamped on Christ's words and life.
Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, let us not be adamant but believing in the truth of the resurrection of Christ. The word of God tells us : "On the first day of Easter, the angel told the women at the empty tomb: He has been raised as he said" (Mt 28:6).
The Gospel reading of today speaks loudly of the resourcefulness of women towards the growth of the mission of Christ.
We are told that while Jesus made his way through towns and villages preaching the goodnews, some women contributed and supported the missions concretely and relentlessly. Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joana, the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Jesus and the Apostles out of their resources (LK 8:2-3).
It is right to say that women played a significant role in the mission of Christ Jesus, right from the beginning of the life and mission of Jesus, through his passion and death on the cross, to the the dawn of the resurrection.
Jesus, we can say, was born of a woman; and the women were courageously at the foot of the cross at the death of Christ; they were also the first to come to the tomb even on the resurrection day. This goes along way to disabuse the minds of many who think that women were inconsequential in the ministerial event of Christ, that it was simply men's affairs.
Beloved in Christ, the essential role of women even in the growth of the church cannot be under-estimated. Women through their natural gifts have been angels of consolation for innumerable numbers of suffering people. They have been very instrumental in the care given to children, the sick, the aged, the homeless, the hungry , the orphans, widows and widowers, and the descriminated against etc. Through their friendly feminine touches and care, they have been able to heal the afflicted and raise the hope of the down troddened. Their unquantifiable love, care and hospitality are visible in hospitals, clinics, schools, service centres etc where they bring their professionalism, competence, sense of humanity and irreplaceable tenderness and generosity to the needs of humanity. Hence, over time the church had enjoyed this wonderful role of women in the growth of her mission.
May God bless and reward fervently all the women devoted to the spread of the values of the kingdom of God here on earth.
Have a great day!
Fr Remi Osj
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