THE WOMAN’S FRIEND
It’s surprising to see Jesus surrounded by so many women: dear friends like Mary Magdalen or the sisters Marth and Mary of Bethany. Faithful followers like Salome, mother of a family of fishermen. Women who are sick, village prostitutes… Nothing like this is said of any other prophet.
What did the women encounter in him? Why did he attract them so much? The answer that the Gospel stories offer is clear. Jesus sees them with different eyes. He treats them with a not known before kindness, he defends their dignity, he welcomes them as disciples. No one had treated them that way.
The people saw them as a source of ritual impurity. Breaking taboos and prejudices, Jesus comes close to them without any fear, accepts them at his table and even goes so far as to allow himself to be touched lovingly by a grateful prostitute.
Society considered them as an occasion and source of sin; from childhood the men were warned about them so as to not fall victim to their seduction arts. Jesus however puts the accent on the responsibility of the men: «Everyone who looks at a woman with desire, has already committed adultery in his heart».
His reaction is understandable when they present a woman surprised in adultery, with the intention of stoning her. No one speaks of the man. It’s what always happens in such a male-dominated society. The woman is condemned because she has dishonored the family, and the man is easily excused.
Jesus doesn’t support that social hypocrisy built on the domination of the men. With simplicity and admirable courage he puts forth truth, justice and compassion: «Let the one who is without sin throw the first stone». The accusers leave embarrassed. They know that they are the ones most responsible for the adulteries that are committed in that society.
Jesus turns toward that humiliated woman with kindness and respect: «Neither do I condemn you». Go, continue on your life’s journey and «from now on, don’t sin anymore». Jesus trusts in her, wants the best for her, and encourages her not to sin. But no condemnation will come from his lips.
Who will teach us today to see the woman with Jesus’ eyes? Who will introduce in the Church and in society the truth, the justice and the defense of the woman the way Jesus does?
José Antonio Pagola
Translator: Fr. Jay VonHandorf
