Reflect
Whenever I hear the reading at Mass listing the many ancestors of Christ—it often becomes rhythmic to my ears. However in five spots that soothing rhythm is punctuated with women’s names. Mary—it’s easy to understand her inclusion. But we also have Tamar, the castaway widow, Rahab, the prostitute, Ruth, the destitute foreigner, and Bathsheba, first the wife of Uriah, then of King David. Why do you suppose Matthew included these four particular women in Jesus’ genealogy?
Pray
Dear God, although Tamar, Rahab, Ruth,
Bathsheba, and Mary had their divergent circumstances,
you connected them all to the birth of Jesus.
Please make my difficulties and scribbly lines in life work for your glory too!
Let these women remind me that life has many bumps, twists, and turns.
Amen.
Act
Review Matthew 1:3, 5, 6, and 16 and the in-between verses if desired. If you’re inspired, look up the corresponding verses (they should be listed nearby) to review the stories of these women. How have any challenging paths in your life turned into blessings later on?
6 thoughts on “Four Intriguing Women”
When you refer to a scripture passage creating a link to them would make one go directly to the passage or passages immediately… thanks… love pause and pray
After years and years, maybe fifty of serving the church in as many roles as a woman can…RCIA, collection counting, laying out of vestments, Re-membering church group and 20 years of small faith group, I have finally find a church with a woman priest (2) who have built the community of friendship and service to the poor that I think the Gospel intended…what a grace now that I am near 90!
Barbara,
two (2) women priests in the Catholic Faith. I am amazed and curious. Thanks for the comment.
Suzann.
I do not want women priests.
Leave as Jesus set up.
My understanding is there are no validly ordained women priests in the Roman Catholic Church.
LORD, please make my difficulties and scribbly lines in life work for your glory too!
Let these women remind me that life has many bumps, twists, and turns.
As time marches on, may women be granted the gift!