Women and their roles in the life of Jesus and the Church are at time overlooked. Today's gospel reading provides a moment for some reflection on this matter. Clearly women had signficant roles in the formative days of our Church. Mary gave birth to the Son of God, he did not "just appear" on the scene. It was Martha and her sister Mary who helped Jesus teach how women helped him preach his mission. Mary Magdalene and "the other Mary" were the proclaimers of the resurrection news.
Theologians have taught us that women were significant in the life of the Son of God because they truly loved him in an honorable way because they were attracted to him by his goodness and his personality. And, to be sure, there were no opportunities for women to "climb" into the circle of Jesus' closest followers, the Apostles. It was not to Peter, the leader of the closest circle, who was chosen to be the heralds of the resurrection.
In his writings Augustine taught that it was not a surprise to him that women were entrusted with the proclamation. It was a woman, Eve, who first fell under a satanic sway. So it is not so strange that women were chosen to make the announcement.
A personal evaluation of some fifteen years in pastoral leadership: since women have been invited to be Lectors and Ministers of Holy Communion in our parishes it is more difficult to engage the service of men to assist in these pastoral positions ... as well as membership on committees. At least this has been my experience.
So, you may be asking, and what is the purpose of this reflection? Put as simply as I can it is this: John Paul II especially and a number of Bishops and priests have pointed to the unique roles of service women offer the Church today. Their intelligence, generosity and care are services that can greatly benefit parish life. Just a simple thought, nothing complicated.
