Sunday Reflection with Fr Robin Gibbons - 12th June 2016

1th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Whilst I was musing on what to share with you, I kept turning to the Gospel (Luke 7: 36-8:3) and reflected on the different mention of women in the ministry and life of Jesus. Jesus visits to Simon the Pharisee's home to share a meal. Though Simon is a perceptive and religious man, for some unaccountable reason he neglects the basic tenet of hospitality to guests, Jesus' feet remain unwashed, nor given the welcome kiss or anointed with scented oil. Instead we have the extraordinary scene of a wealthy woman, washing the unwashed feet with her tears of repentance, drying them with her hair and anointing Jesus with enormously expensive ointment.

Even though Luke describes her as a sinful woman, Jesus is unembarrassed, recognizing her true motives, seeking forgiveness from the One in whom God is revealed. Jesus in a small teaching parable reminds Simon and ourselves that those who show great love are also forgiven much, those to whom little is forgiven, love little! The sinner completed the welcome rituals the good should have observed.

This story and the following mention of the women disciples, Mary of Magdala, Joanna, Susanna as well as the many other women who supported the ministry of Jesus financially, are a reminder of how far we have got to go in the Church! In the Catholic media the reflections of Pope Francis about foot washing being open to women and later reflections on the ancient diaconal ministry of women, have ben welcomed but also been systematically downplayed.

A colleague of mine in Oxford reminded me that men are still very privileged creatures, especially in the Church, and told a story of a recent meeting, where people who should know better, made what can only be called misogynistic remarks about the ministry of women. Most of us do not behave in such a derogatory fashion, but it shows that prejudiced viewpoints exist. It is obvious that Jesus valued women highly, they ministered to him and the disciples and stories of them are some of the most powerful in our Gospels. We need to return and relearn our scriptures, see there the Lord opening doors to all peoples especially those marginalized.

A last thought, the association of Mary of Magdala with this sinful lady was something the Western Church allowed to develop, possibly to downplay Mary's significance as a disciple of the Lord! Fortunately the Eastern Church never did this, calling her always first witness to the resurrection and 'Apostle to the Apostles!

Reflection! 6th C homily, Gregory, the Patriarch of Antioch.

The risen Lord is reported to be addressing the women, including Mary Magdalene, who "ran to the tomb", with the following words: "Tell my disciples the mysteries you've seen. You'll be the first apostles to the apostles. And let Peter, who denied me, learn that I'm able to make women apostles, too"
(see J N Birdsall, "Gregory of Antioch: Homilia in S Τheophania, CPG 7385- Gleanings of Text and Theme," JTS 60 vol. 2 (2009), pp. 531-7).

Fr Robin Gibbons is an Eastern Rite Chaplain for the Melkite Greek Catholics in Britain