The Ministering Women - October 11

Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 140, 142; PM Psalm 141, 143:1-11(12)
Micah 3:9-4:5; Acts 24:24-25:12; Luke 8:1-15

In the lectionary appointed for today, we have three little verses in Luke 8 that are only found here in the gospels. We read of the ministering women:

“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, as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their resources.” (Luke 8:1-3)

Who were these people Luke named? Mary was from the town of Magdala and had been plagued with multiple demons, before she was healed by Jesus. (In 591, Pope Gregory I identified Mary Magdalene as the profoundly sinful prostitute in Luke 7:36-50; current scholarship has corrected the narrative that this association is not accurate.) Joanna was married to the tetrarch Herod’s household manager, hence she was likely to have had robust means at her disposal and kept company with some influential people. Luke does not give any specific context for Susanna’s story. We know that each of these women experienced life-altering shifts because of Jesus. They became followers because they were healed and changed by Christ.

Theirs are stories of gift economy: Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna gave generously because they received greatly from Jesus. They were willing to participate, managing the hospitality of Jesus’ table from their own resources. They joined the diverse group of disciples, students of Jesus who became apostles for the Good News of God in Christ. This group formed community together, centered upon Jesus.

As there is conflict, destruction, and chaos afoot in our world, these players in our gospel story shine the Christ-light for hope and faithfulness for us. Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna are among the group of disciples deeply rooted to Jesus. Like the seed planted in good soil that blossoms a hundredfold (v. 8), these women were part of the community who stayed faithful to and present with Jesus – until it was time to go out and spread the good news of the kingdom of God to others. Today we can learn from the witness of fidelity and perseverance modeled by Mary, Joanna, and Susanna, who were among those who witnessed Christ’s death and burial, and they were the first to know of the resurrection. Their story influences our story. Their healing draws us in and anchors us to what is possible in faith. May these women inspire you to lean upon the healing promise of Christ this day.

Faithfully,

Katherine+

Going Deeper

The women in the Luke 8 reading come from different places and stations in life, yet they collaborate in community with one another. How can this inform the ways that you connect to people? How can healing come from unexpected partners in ministry?