Celebrating International Women’s Day -March 8- In Memory Of Her
"Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her." Mark 14:9
On March 8, we reflect on the scripture story of a mysterious woman who anointed Jesus at a meal in the town of Bethany. We reflect on the irony of Jesus' words in this story because, indeed, this woman has not been remembered-the gospel writer does not even record her name. Yet more than Jesus' male disciples, this woman -whose name we do not know -understood intuitively Jesus' mission and affirmed him in it. She did not try to dissuade him, even though I am sure it made her very sad to think of what lay ahead for him; but rather she supported him, as he prepared to enter his passion and death, with this last act of tenderness. And he was grateful.
The argument the disciples used to criticize the woman- that the ointment could have been sold and the money given to the poor- misses the point. Ministering to people's bodily needs (what we call the corporal works of mercy) will always be a requirement of preaching the gospel. Jesus himself fed people when they were hungry and healed them when they were sick. But people have other needs - needs of a spiritual nature -and we should never ignore or deny this spiritual side of human experience. Often having our spiritual needs met gives us the strength to carry on in the face of great physical difficulty- as Jesus did. The song Bread and Roses that we used today at prayer, speaks to this reality. We fight for bread because the poor and the hungry need food for their bodies, to sustain their lives. But we also claim the right to beauty, to kindness, to tenderness -as shown by the woman in today's reading.
We invite you to take a few minutes to reflect on the contributions of women- in our own lives, in the life of the Church and in the world- by viewing the PowerPoint and listening to the song. It takes less than 5 minutes.
Blessing for International Women's Day
May the blessings of Mary, Mother of God, blessings which include the willingness to carry God within us, to bring God into the world, to accompany those who suffer, and to be witnesses to resurrection, fill us this day…
May the blessings of all the holy women throughout history, those we can name and those we cannot, continue to inspire us and strengthen us all our days…
May the blessings of brave women, enable us to overcome fear and proclaim the Lord’s greatness by lifting up the poor and bringing the mighty low…
And may God bless us with peace as we remember women’s God-given gifts in the world.
Amen!
Catherine (Cathie) Pead is a former high school and university chaplain. Cathie earned a BA in History from McMaster University before pursuing graduate studies in New York, first at Union Theological Seminary, then at Fordham University where she received a MA in Religion and Religious Education. She also holds a Certificate in Spiritual Direction. She has ministered at several Catholic women’s colleges. Cathie is Vice Chair of Concerned Lay Catholics in Canada.