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Gospel: Luke 8: 1-3
Jesus journeyed from one town and village to another,
preaching and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God.
Accompanying him were the Twelve
and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities,
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.
The Gospel of the Lord.
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These three verses from Luke’s Gospel are filled with interesting, sometimes overlooked, details.
First, Luke tells us, “Jesus journeyed from one town and village to another.” At first read, it’s easy to presume that’s what Jesus always did; he came to encounter, to preach, to heal, and to save.
But the reason why Jesus is journeying from one village to another is because he’s been thrown out of the synagogues. This initiates a new phase in his ministry whereby the mountains, the hills, and the sea serve as his pulpit.
The weak and sinful are mesmerized by him, while the religious authorities are plotting his death.
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In addition to the Twelve Apostles, Luke tells us that “some women” are part of this travelling caravan. And they all have one important thing in common: each was healed by Jesus.
Filled with gratitude for the Lord, Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, and others, become Christ’s devotees, providing for him out of their own personal resources – food, shelter, and the comfort of companionship, which they also extended to him at the Cross.
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What makes this band of women so interesting is how different they are. For example, Mary Magdalene had “seven demons” cast out of her. Some say she was once mentally ill, even a prostitute.
Meanwhile, Joanna, came from significant means and influence; she was the wife of King Herod’s highest financial advisor.
Seeing these two women band together reminds us of a beautiful trait of Christ – his knack for uniting very different people under a single cause, just as he did with the Apostles.
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So, what might these verses mean for us?
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As different as we may be – in age, experience, background – each of our hearts has been touched by Christ. That love for Jesus is what should unite us. As Saint Paul says, “Bear with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3)
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Image credits: (1) The Many Female Followers of Jesus, The Junia Project (2) Daily Manna (Coffee with Jesus) (3) Unity in Christ, Geneva College