I like this picture. Six women follow travel along with Jesus. Their names are written above their heads, but I can't make it out. Doesn't matter. They could be the myrrh-bearers of Easter Morning. They could be the women mentioned in the gospel verses here. Two women in the second group hold crosses, which traditionally signifies they are martyrs. Perhaps they are some of the early women martyrs known as the Virgin Martyrs. Many of their names are mentioned in the First Eucharist Prayer — the young girls who said, "No, I will not call the emperor my God; Christ alone has my loyalty." But I especially like the many hued streaks of horizontal sky. It all suggests movement — a great going forward. Even the little tree seems to quiver with life and something of a desire to go along with Christ.
1 After this he went journeying from town to town and village to village, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. 2 With him were the Twelve and a number of women who had been set free from evil spirits and infirmities. 3 Mary, known as Mary of Magdala, from whom seven devils had come out, Joanna, the wife of Chuza a steward of Herod's, Susanna, and many others. These women provided for them out of their own resources. Luke 8:1-3
Verse 1: We can speak of enduring a hard time as living from one moment to the next. We can describe a busy day as going from one errand to another. Seniors tell of a week going from one doctor to the next. Even a scattered or distracted mind goes from this to that. These three verses begin with Jesus journeying from one town to another, one village to another.. I like the use of journeying, which conveys a sense of purpose and even adventure. Jesus wasn't going for a stroll.
Verse 2: Notice Jesus is not traveling alone but with his twelve apostles. There are also a group of women all of whom have a story. They've got some serious baggage. Don't we all? Luke uses some pretty strong language. He says these women were freed of "evil spirits." He's not saying they were possessed but surely in the grip of some affliction. We might think today of addictions, anxieties, wrong choices, wrong life-turns. depression, cynicism. Whatever the "devils" were, these followers were made infirm (sick) by it. Lots of people have poor, even dangerous, mental health. We aren't' attending to it in our country. We're all vulnerable. There are even places where mentally or emotionally unwell priests and nuns go for help.
Verse 3: Mary of Magdala was not the gospel woman caught in adultery. The Gospel never says that. Nor does it ever say she was a prostitute. How unfair is that! So, what do we know about Mary of Magdala? Somewhere along the long history-way a number of un-named Gospel women got conflated into one, with the name "Mary Magdalen." This verse (3) tells us she was a disciple who was inwardly freed by her association with Jesus. The verse says Mary of Magdala was freed of seven devils. Seven ! Yikes! Seven is a biblical number which means wholly, completely, a whole lot, totally. We might say, "Poor Mary, she was a mess." But all the more, what a recovery! Later we'll be told she was the first Easter witness. She will be called equal to the apostles.
And who is this Joanna? It's also said of her she had been healed of infirmities. Could the infirmity or sickness have been physical? Of course, the ancient world knew nothing of biological sickness. We live in the time of covid — still trying to figure out viruses. At any rate, do you have your own inner or outer healing story to tell?
Joanna was apparently a noble woman married to Chuza who was part of Herod's household. Appointed by Rome, Herod Antipas ruled Galilee. Chuza seems to have been significant enough that his name endures. Put simply: Joanna was helpful. She is listed as one of the myrrh-bearing women of Easter morning Luke 24:1-12. These women didn't expect the Resurrection, rather, they were returning to the tomb at dawn to finish cleaning the body of Jesus' body which had been buried hurriedly on Friday late afternoon. What a remarkable self-gift. Women are the ones who more often than not have to clean up the mess men have made and left behind. Anyway, that's how we come to know her — she was helpful. Here in verse 3 we're told again of the generosity which made it possible for Jesus and his men friends to travel. Get it — she paid for the room and board of the men who are squabbling over "Who's first?" Funny, but also kind of pathetic. I would have liked to sit with Joanna, listening to her tell of her experiences and insights.
Notice the sentence tells us there were many others — meaning, many others who were like Joanna. Why do they need to be named? They are US after all, aren't they? And especially the nameless or low-profiled women throughout history to today. The best sermon I ever heard was a Good Friday sermon preached by a woman in a packed church. What fresh and sensitive insights she brought to that day. But soon after, all possibility of hearing from women in a pulpit was forbidden. I can't help but think we are cheating ourselves.
