The women who supported the apostolic ministry:
The very first mention of Mary Magdalene is often missed. In Luke 8:1-3, the writer notes that the twelve disciples were with Jesus: “Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their resources.”
These three verses from Luke are often overlooked but should not be. The first thing to note is that women were a part of Jesus’ inner circle. This was quite radical for the time, as early rabbinic documents cautioned against speaking to women at all. (Think of the reaction in John 4:27 when the disciples returned to find Jesus speaking with the Samaritan woman at the well.) Not only were women a significant part of the ministry, but they sustained and cared for the disciples. Some translations say that they ministered to them.
Interesting that none of them were listed as deacons, yet without them, would the mission of the Apostles have advanced?
May the genius of women enlighten our Holy Father! Family at Bethany, pray for us!
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