HOMILY 16TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME
JUST WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING?
ALSO, THE CRITICAL ROLE OF WOMEN IN THE CHURCH TODAY AND ALWAYS
Lk 10.38-42 Gen 18.1-10 Col 1.24-28
Now we’re back to the challenge of finding balance in life, with faith expressed in word and action. First of all, it’s worth noting that Luke has Jesus directly contravening cultural norms and expectations in 3 ways, by being alone with Martha and Mary, women who are not his relatives, allowing himself to be served by a woman, and teaching women in their own home! There is no hesitation on his part,
When we think about it, Jesus is counter-cultural more often than not, particularly in bringing women to the fore, as in this instance, but even moreso in reaching out to women in trouble, as with the widow of Nain, or whose reputations are not exactly positive, as with the woman caught in adultery, or the unwelcome one, who anointed his feet with oil in the Pharisee’s house. Then there was the anonymous woman with the serious illness for many years, who actually approached him for healing and comfort.
The debates go on about women in the Catholic church today, with the question of their right to exercise authority and to have a deliberative say in decision making about important issues, but there seems to be still considerable resistance from the top. Other denominations have moved forward meanwhile, and have women in positions of authority and ordained ministry. I’ve celebrated a few weddings along the way with female Anglican priests, who are obviously quite capable of performing such ministry, but tradition holds us back, with an additional argument about divine law preventing this happening. Nevertheless, who knows what the future might hold?
It has been argued that women have had plenty of authority and leadership in the Church, in their own right, as in health care and education, particularly in the past, where religious women have exercised control over hospitals and schools, and their own Orders. At the same time, at the higher levels of power, their involvement and say has been limited.
And on the lay level, it has been women who have kept the show on the road, particularly in parish life with catechetics, social life, hospitality and administration. As I say of Jac, Kathy, Irene and Leanne, they are the welcoming ‘face of the place’ here in our 2 Essendon parish communities, along with Annette and Coral at OLN. I consider myself very fortunate to have them here, inherited from my predecessor and good friend, Bill Attard. And then there are the many others involved on a voluntary basis, who keep activities going. The newly minted ‘Parish Friendship Group’, formerly ‘Senior Friendship Group’ is just another example, where we had 60 or so stay for morning tea after 85 attended this week’s Anointing Mass.
In another area of pastoral ministry, when I first worked in the marriage tribunal, back in the mid-1980’s, helping those who had been divorced and were seeking freedom to remarry in the Church, it was mainly priests who did the interviewing. Then, when I was administrator, it was clear to me that there needed to be more of a gender balance there, so I sought to involve women as interviewers as well. It proved to be a very positive move, as some who had been through the trauma of a failed marriage, found it preferable to have an empathetic female ear, rather than a male cleric!
What is more, I found that competent and sensitive women, whether religious or lay, could often provide more insightful information, to assist with bringing a case to a conclusion, with the ultimate aim of assisting with getting on with life in the Church, often with a new partner.
Whilst annulment is a judicial process, and the Church’s teaching is of the sanctity and permanence of marriage, but there is nothing sacred about an abusive relationsuip. No-one should be bound to the impossible situation of a dysfunctional relationship, within or without marriage. There is a critical pastoral role here, along with application of the law and the prescribed procedures.
Pope Francis made moves to give women more say in some of the Roman Congregations, but proposals for female diaconate have been stalled. Of course, there is a fear that this would be the thin edge of the wedge for women ultimately to be ordained priests. Whatever about that, a female voice at all levels of Church life is, to my mind, certainly a benefit, in fact, essential.
Then there is today’s account of the diverse roles of the 2 sisters, Martha, the hard worker, and Mary, the lazy listener, as it first appears! The obvious conclusion is that it’s not a matter of either/or, but more a question of finding the balance between activity and contemplation or reflection. And that’s for all of us, especially given the busy lives we lead.
If we consider the overall portrayal of Jesus’ ministry, we see a clear reflection or focus on proclaiming a message of Good News about God’s Kingdom, with the follow through or consequences being to act on his words, as he did constantly throughout his public life. At the heart of it all was that consistent theme of love of God and neighbour, being inextricably linked.
There is a story of hospitality here as well, with Jesus further extending table fellowship with his disciples of all types. Luke’s emphasis is on universality, that all are welcome, but there are conditions. Open minds and hearts are required, with a willingness to listen, reflect and then to act, applying the principles Jesus proclaims and exemplifies.
As life in the early Church progressed, there was gradual movement away from Temple worship to home gatherings in Christian communities, where all were to be welcome, without preference or distinction. No doubt, some found this difficult, and there was probably some resistance, as Paul found with the Corinthians, who were very conscious of class differences, at times missing the point, by excluding certain types from their Eucharistic gatherings.
And now to conclude, this weekend we have our Catholic Mission Appeal, with a brief presentation from Archbishop Peter. So please support yet another worthwhile cause.
john hannon 20th July 2025
As usual, Claude Mostowik MSC has some helpful insights: “Although the sisters seem to set against one another, we are not forced to make a choice. Perhaps the story reflects a conflict within the early community that was trying to adjust to the presence of women in religious leadership. Jesus consistently stretched accepted limits and scandalised many contemporaries by ignoring rules that restricted anyone’s full participation in God’s reign. In the Jesus movement, women are equals and the role of teacher was open to woman as much as to men… Jesus constantly chose unlikely teachers. Last week, it was a hated Samaritan. Today, a woman. Outsiders and people on the margins teach us that hearing and doing go together. Hearing and doing the Word of God makes us faithful disciples. It is part of being with. It is part of being present. It includes attentive presence… We are reminded that we must sit and listen at the feet of Jesus before we go and do… The only requirement for communion with Christ is acceptance of those he invites. This is choosing the good part.”