SEPTEMBER 16, 2016 (FRIDAY)

St. Cornelius, Pope and Martyr

St. Cyprian, Bishop and Martyr

1st Reading:

     1 Cor. 15:12-20: The Resurrection of the Dead.

        But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ been raised. And if Christ has not been raised,our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that we are then found to be false witness about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ ha not been raised your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.

        But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

Psalm:

     Ps. 17:1bcd, 6-7, 8b & 15: Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full.

        Hear, O LORD, a just suit; attend outcry; hearken to my prayer from lips without deceit.

       I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my word. Show your wondrous mercies, O savior of those who flee from their foes to refuge at your right hand.

        

        Hide me in the shadow of your wings. But I in justice shall behold your face; on walking, I shall be content in your presence.

Gospel:

     Lk. 8:1-3:

        Jesus walked through towns and countryside, preaching and giving the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve followed him, and also some women, who had been healed of evil spirits and diseases: Mary called Magdalene, who had been freed of seven demons; Joanna, wife of Chuza, Herod's steward; Suzanna; and others, who provided for them out of their own funds.

At the time of Jesus and in 1st century Palestine , women had no public voice, no public role, and no rights as free persons. Rabbis had a low opinion of women and saw them essentially as temptresses such as Eve tempted Adam to eat of the forbidden fruit. Hence the need for men to keep aloof of women, never talk or be seen with them in public. In the synagogues they were separated from men and screened off so as to remain invisible.

        Against this cultural background we see Jesus treating women in a completely different way. He talks to them in public to the astonishment of disciples. He accepts them as disciples, as we see in today's gospel reading, what no Jewish rabbi would ever have done. He would have made them apostles, surely, but no one would have accepted to listen to the, so he had to stop short of doing that. But he did appear to women first, after Resurrection. Clearly, Jesus thought that women were just as important s men. And, if we are true followers of his, we will think so too.

F.Y.I: When St. Cyprian was examined and sentenced to death, his only response was "Thanks be to God!"