GOSPEL POWER l SEPTEMBER 17, 2021 l FRIDAY

24th Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel: Lk 8:1-3 

1 Soon afterwards Jesus went on through cities and villages,  proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The  twelve were with him, 2 as well as some women who had been cured  of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom  seven demons had gone out, 3 and Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward  Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out  of their resources. 

Due to society’s patriarchal bias, it is indeed unusual  for a first-century traveling teacher, like Jesus, to have  women in his band of disciples. But something common  to the women named in today’s Gospel sheds greater light on the  nature of Jesus’ mission. All of them were formerly held in bondage  by evil spirits and infirmities but now liberated by Jesus. They, more  than the male disciples, understand that Jesus’ mission to establish  God’s Kingdom on earth is being opposed by transcendent spiritual  powers. Jesus is involved in a battle that is cosmic and trans-human.  Now freed from the clutches of those same powers, these women  heed the compelling call to join Jesus in his crusade. The cross and  resurrection of Jesus inaugurated the victory over these powers. We,  who have been freed from the clutches of sin by Jesus’ sacrifice, are  now called, like the women in today’s Gospel, to participate in the  completion of Jesus’ victory. 

Lord Jesus, infuse in us courage and generosity to commit our lives to  your mission, just like the first-century women of today’s Gospel. Amen.