Text: Lk.8:1-3.
“After this, Jesus travelled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.”
Theme: Help In Supporting The Spread Of The Gospel!”
According to the second creation story of Genesis, God had not planned to create a woman. A woman was created because among the other creatures, Adam did not find a suitable helpmate. She was not even created from original material like the other creatures. The male chauvinistic trend of Scriptures is established by this very story. It couldn’t have been otherwise since the Scriptures were penned down within a patriarchal society, and the authors and actors were patriarchalistic.
The trend of patriarchalism is evident in the ministry of Jesus as the selected Twelve apostles were all men. However, the inclusion of women is evident by the text of today’s reflection.
One early church father said without mincing his words that a woman without a man is incomplete whereas a man is complete without a woman.
It is on the basis of such a statement that the contention here below arises: How would you punctuate this sentence?
“A woman without her man is nothing.” Some male chauvinist readers may see nothing wrong in the sentence, while others may punctuate it this way: “A woman, without her man, is nothing.”
Feminist theologians are likely to punctuate the sentence this way: “A woman: without her, man is nothing.” This later punctuation ties with the reason for which the woman was created; “a suitable helper”(Gen.2:20b-22).
The women who were part of Jesus’s ministry fulfilled this role. These women travelled with Jesus and “were helping to support them out of their own means.” Even though the Herodians were not in tandem with the teachings of Jesus, Joanna, the wife of the manager of Herod’s household was among the women who were helping to support Jesus and the apostles.
Those who have taken up the vocation of the preaching ministry have to be supported out of the means of believers.
The role of women in the background, helping to support the ministry out of their own means, should be highlighted and appreciated.
The facts are there to prove that the women, more than men, have always responded to the gospel and supported the work of evangelisation.
On the overall, we are called upon to support the work of the gospel within our means.
Dear friend let us help to support the spread of the good news we have heard and the demonstrable salvation we have experienced; just like those women who accompanied and helped the ministry after they had been cured of evil spirits and diseases.
Prayer: Holy Spirit, guide us daily to identify where services for the gospel are needed and do what is expected of us. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.
24/07/2025.