DAILY- HOMILY

Today's gospel pictures Jesus traveling through the towns and villages of Palestine, preaching the good news of the kingdom of God. He was, of course, accompanied by the twelve, his apostles, and by his disciples.

The gospel tells us that apart from the men, however, there was also a group of women who accompanied Jesus and his disciples. Apparently Jesus had freed some of these women of the grip of evil spirits. This does not necessarily mean that they had been possessed by demons or that they had been great sinners. It may simply mean that they suffered from a disease and Jesus freed them of it. It was these women who provided part of the money needed to support the missionary activities of Jesus and his apostles.

These women did not, of course, preach or teach. The Jews were an intensely patriarchal society, in which women were without any civil rights and had no public or civic stature. Obviously in such a culture men would never accept a woman as a teacher. But it's simply extraordinary that Jesus, in this society which did not even allow a man to speak with a women other than his wife in public, should have had women in his entourage, traveling with him up and down the length and breadth of Palestine. Apparently the women put Jesus and his ministry ahead of their own families, as did the male disciples. It certainly does indicate that Jesus had little or no concern about public reaction to what he felt was right and proper.

Women have come a long way since then. Universal suffrage is in, women serve in elective and appointive offices in many countries. Many women occupy high positions in private companies. In our church, women direct retreats, lectures and serve as guides in small study groups. Women also contribute their efforts in social action projects.

Let us pray that the talents and experiences of women will continue to be shared with the community and the enrichment of the Church.