Friday, September 18 – The Female Genius Contributes to Society.
Preparatory Prayer (to put myself in God’s presence)
Jesus, the Gospel speaks to me of some women who allowed themselves to be touched by Your grace and Your redeeming love, and because of that, they became true apostles and brave followers of Yours. I want, like them, to always remain faithful to Your grace, even when the shadow of the Cross appears.
Gospel of the Day (to guide your meditation)
From the holy Gospel according to Luke 8:1-3
At that time, Jesus began to travel through towns and villages preaching the good news of the Kingdom of God. Accompanying Him were the Twelve and some women who had been freed from evil spirits and healed of various diseases. Among them were Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out; Joanna, wife of Cusa, the administrator of Herod; Susanna, and many others who helped them with their own means.
Word of the Lord.
Reflect on what God is saying to you in the Gospel (we suggest you read what the Pope said).}
“It is undeniable that we must do much more for women if we want to strengthen reciprocity between men and women. It is indeed necessary that women are not only more heard, but that their voice has real weight, a recognized prestige in society and in the church.
The very way Jesus considered women — the Gospel indicates this — was in a less favorable context than ours, because in those times women were placed second. But Jesus considers them in a way that sheds a powerful light illuminating a path that leads far, of which we have only traveled a part. We have not yet deeply understood what the female genius of women can give us in society. Perhaps we need to see things with different eyes so that men’s thinking can be complemented. It is a path that must be traveled with more creativity and boldness.” (Audience of His Holiness Pope Francis, April 15, 2015).
Dialogue with Christ
This is the most important part of your prayer, prepare to talk with much love with the One who loves you.
Purpose
Set a personal goal, what? The one that involves more love… or, if you believe it is what God is asking of you, live what is suggested below.
Today, Friday, memorial of the death of our Lord, I will offer a small sacrifice for women who are victims of violence or exploitation.
“The contribution of the ‘female genius,’ as Pope John Paul II said, to the understanding of Scripture, as well as to all the life of the Church, is now broader than in the past, and also encompasses the field of biblical studies.”
(Benedict XVI, Apostolic Exhortation – 85, September 30, 2010).
