Basant Ekka
1. Introduction
I continue my faith reflection with the experience of one of the religious women whom I interviewed. What she said is this. I see Sisters as giving the voice to the voiceless because we religious women, we are the one who are really catechizing the people and making the Church to be really a universal one. Because we go to very remote places where sometimes even priests wouldn’t reach to celebrate mass for us but we are there with the people, learning from them so that we can really get to know what they need and help them to be agents of their own development. And this, most of the time is not known in the world because we don’t have the opportunity and platform to speak and make known the work, we are doing in the very remote places to keep up the faith. We go in the remote villages for faith formation, but who cares for us. This is very important and help them to share with the church, how to be the church even in remote places. We are there in the remote villages because we have heard the Lord saying- go and tell them the good news you have received. We find joy to tell the good news of Jesus to the people living in remote villages.
2. What was Jesus’ Mission?
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour” (Lk. 4:18-19). The mission manifesto of Jesus Christ by which Jesus began his ministry, is the mission of the church even today. The church is called to continue the mission manifest of preaching, teaching, healing the sick and caring for the poor, vulnerable, neglected, marginalized people in the present context.
3. What is the mission of the Church?
The mission of the Church is to carry out and continue the work of Jesus Christ on this earth. As followers of Jesus Christ our mission is to be true disciples and make disciples. We read in the gospel of Saint Matthew- “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Mt. 28:18-20). With this command Jesus is sending us out to continue his work and share the Word of God with the whole humanity. This work and tradition are continued by the followers of Jesus Christ even today. Whoever is baptized is commissioned to preach the good news and make disciples. Pope Francis in Evangelii Gaudium, stresses the importance of mission work when he says, “we cannot forget that evangelization is first and foremost about preaching the Gospel to those who do not know Jesus Christ or who have always rejected him.”
We have another understanding of mission in the gospel of saint Matthew in the context of the last judgment- “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me” (Mt. 25:35-36). Even though this passage is found in the last judgment at the end of life, in reality this is what the church’ mission is all about. We are called to help the people who are in need, people who are in pain, people who are suffering and all those who live in the periphery and are marginalized in the human society. Pope Francis has given special emphasis by outlining the role and mission of the church in Evangelii Gaudium which says, “But whom should she go first? When we read the Gospel, we find a clear indication: not so much our friends and wealthy neighbours, but above all the poor and the sick, those who are usually despised and overlooked, those who cannot repay you. (Lk. 14:14)” Pope Francis states that the Church should be the Church of the poor, and the poor should be at the centre of the Church and all its actions. The church needs to be attentive to the needs of the people directly surrounding us. The mission of the church is to love and care for those who surround her backyard.
4. The significant role of Women in the ministry of Jesus
In the gospels Jesus is often portrayed as in the company of women. Women appear more frequently, although they are not always named. In the New Testament we find women as confident, bold and courageous. We see Matthew presenting a woman who takes the initiative to come out on her own and makes her request to Jesus to cure her daughter. A woman who suffered for twelve years from haemorrhage crosses all social and cultural boundaries and touches the fringe of Jesus and low and behold she is cured (Mt. 9:19). The Canaanite woman while having dialogue with Jesus recognizes and identifies Jesus as Lord. The woman coming forward and asking for the seats for her sons in his kingdom shows that she had received special call to dialogue with Jesus which made the difference in the society. In all these the attitude of the society takes a new twist.
The gospel of Saint John presents women, who played significant leadership role in the life and mission of Jesus. (Mary, Samaritan Woman, Mary and Martha) At the wedding feast of Cana, Jesus is reluctant to perform miraculous act but it is mother Mary who reminds him saying that it is the hour to do the will of God. It is Mary who united the disciples to perform his first miracle at Cana. She stood at the foot of the Cross not because she was a women or mother but she was commissioned by God to fulfil and witness this salvific event. She was with the disciples to strengthen them to fulfil the mission of Jesus. The dialogue of Jesus with the Samaritan woman was not a coincident. It was in the plan of God to break the social and traditional distinction of the society. The Samaritan woman was not the outcaste. It was due to the patriarchal society that women were not considered important in the salvific act. But here is the woman who challenges the religious and social boundaries. She appears to be a woman who is well versed in the religious traditions of her community. But God make use of her to break this social patriarchal structure and open their eyes to see that women too are the channels of God’s mission. The Samaritan woman was empowered by God to be a messenger of good news, a teacher, and a preacher to the whole community of the Samaritans, who would not have received the good news if she did not break the social structure. Martha and Mary had specific role in the life of Jesus. The women whom the society despised for just because they were women but the plan of God who created human beings equal but the society did not recognize it. So, in order to restore the creation account of human history these women come into the scene. They are made the herald of the good news, the bearers of the good news, the messengers of the resurrection and the new heralds of Christianity in the salvific plan of God.
5. The importance of the role of women in the life and mission of the church: by Pope John Paul II
“The presence and the role of women in the life and mission of the Church, although not linked to the ministerial priesthood, remain absolutely necessary and irreplaceable. As it is pointed out, the church desires that Christian women should become fully aware of the greatness of their mission: today their role is of capital importance both for the renewal and humanization of society and for the rediscovery by believers of the true face of the church” (Pope John Paul II, Ordinatio Sacerdotalis, No. 10).
Pope John Paul II expressed his sentiments toward the contributions of women in the church. He said, “This word of thanks to the Lord for his mysterious plan regarding the vocation and mission of women in the world is at the same time a concrete and direct word of thanks to women, to every woman, for all that they represent in the life of humanity.” He gave thanks to God for the presence and existence of woman, of every woman in the world. For the Pope, it was an opportunity to thank women in the most important facets of their womanhood: the woman who is mother, in whose womb a new life can grow and who becomes a guide, support, and point of reference for her child as s/he matures; the woman who is spouse, who in union with the man places herself at the service of communion and life; the woman who is daughter and sister, who, in family and society shares the fruits of her labour, her sensibility, and perseverance with others; the woman who works and with her contribution creates a culture that is open to the sense of mystery and to the union between reason and emotion; the consecrated woman who perfectly incarnates the relationship of preferential love that God wishes to share with His creature.[1]
6. The role of women in the Church: Pope Francis
No one has been baptized a priest or a bishop. We have all been baptized as lay people.
Lay people are protagonists of the Church. Today, it is especially necessary to create broader opportunities for a more incisive female presence in the Church. And we must emphasize the feminine lay presence because women tend to be left aside. We must promote the integration of women, especially where important decisions are made. We pray that by the virtue of baptism, the laity, especially women, may participate more in areas of responsibility in the Church, without falling into forms of clericalism that diminish the lay Charism.[2]
Women have a unique ability to share the Catholic faith because they seek to experience love and share it with others. Pope Francis said, “This is the mission of women, of mothers and women, to give witness to their children and grandchildren that Christ is risen. Faith is professed with the mouth and heart, with the word and love.” Pope Francis affirmed the role of women saying that many women, moved by the Holy Spirit, keep the Church alive in many parts of the world with remarkable devotion and deep faith. It’s essential that they participate more and more in areas where decisions are made. This requires a profound change of mentality; it requires our conversion, which implies prayer.
7. The Contribution of Religious Women in the life and mission of the Church
Religious women dedicate themselves in prayer, caring for the poor, providing education and helping the sick. Religious women also engage themselves in evangelical ministry through pastoral visits, catechizing children and adults, prison outreach program, chaplain work and parish campus ministry.
7.1 In the work of Charity and Care
Religious women functioning in the church fulfil the roles of caregivers and humanitarians, offering services to those in need. They play many roles according to their Charism. “In the early years of the nursing profession in India, 100 percent of the nurses were Christian.”[3] They take volunteering in nursery and helping to build programs and housing for the poor. They offer their services in counselling for young mothers, female convicts, especially those victims of domestic violence, human trafficking and women who seek spiritual advice or guidance. Religious women take care of the sick, old in the hospitals and pray for their healing. They try to make better community life by reflecting on the charity which Jesus Christ preached and lived during his life on the earth.
7.2 In the field of Education
The religious women play a vital role in the field of education. They are continuing the teaching of true faith and the tradition of catholic teaching. “Many Christian women are school teachers.”[4] Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru said: “You can tell the condition of the nation by looking at the students of its women.”[5] They are imparting knowledge through teaching in the schools and colleges. They teach secular subjects as well as moral and religious subjects. The religious subjects mean the catechism. They live exemplary life through their simple living. Through specialization in theology, liturgies, art, music, writing and technology they impart knowledge for better Christian living. They help in the spiritual growth of students of their care through counselling and spiritual guidance.
7.3 In Parish Organizations
Religious women who reside in parish jurisdiction help in parish organization. They do all kinds of works in the parish church. In some of the parishes they have the specific responsibility to fulfil. They are the back bone and soul organizer of faith formation and catechism. They help the poor, visit the families of the parish, and visit the sick in the hospitals and nursing homes. They take care of the youth, Mahila Sangh (women organization) and children. They organize retreats, seminars and other spiritual activities for the women, children and youth in order to unite them with the parish.
7.4. Helping the Needy
Women are by nature so loving, caring, compassionate and understanding. So they help families in times of crisis, such as death and illness. They comfort families by providing moral support and relieve a family’s stress by preparing counselling ground and coordinating childcare program as well. They regularly visit the sick and administer the Holy Communion. They make charitable efforts to help the poor in their surroundings.
7.5. Taking Care of Women/Family
Religious women promote the general welfare of females in the church. They educate women in the faith and counsel them through issues. They do this through formal and informal teaching, personal discussions. They even frequently organize counselling for those who are struggling in the family. They give moral support to lead a better and joyful Christian life.
8. The role of women in the life and mission of the Church: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
8.1. Living witness of the Christian life
The old African proverb: “if you educate a man, you educate an individual, but if you educate a woman, you educate a family/nation.” Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the former president of India said: “Empowering women is a prerequisite for creating a good nation. When women are empowered, society with stability is assured. Empowerment of women is essential as their thoughts and their values system lead the development of a good family, good society and ultimately a good nation.”[6] These proverbs go well with our Christian living because the women or mothers who have very deep personal experience of God will not keep it to herself/themselves. She will proclaim her God experience whenever and whoever possible, especially during charismatic movement and retreats. Women play a vital role in the family. It is seen that the women/mothers are the uniting agents of the members in the family. It is the woman who initiates the prayer in the family, surrounding neighbourhood and villages. Living the Christian life includes knowing and sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. Living the kingdom values in day today life which means our works and words can be a witness to Jesus Christ.
8.2. Women fit in dialogue with other religions
Pope Francis once said in one of his weekly addresses to the audience “Women must not only be listened to, but also given real weight and authority. He said that the society has not yet understood what the female mind is capable of giving. Women can also become fully involved in exchanges at the religious level, as well as those at the theological level. Pope Francis affirmed that many women are well prepared and qualified to face encounters of interreligious dialogue at the highest levels and not just from the catholic side.” We in our time see many women who have taken up the mission of dialogue with other religions (social field, Sadbhavna Manch).
8.3. Proclamation of the good news/kingdom values
How can the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ be proclaimed in the world of today, in the very different societies, in the political, social, cultural and traditional situations like India? Is it possible to announce the gospel or the kingdom values of Jesus Christ? The answer is yes. The proclamation of the gospel is nothing more and certainly nothing less than living a true Christian life. When corona pandemic hit the whole world, there were times when everything was locked down, no one was allowed to move out of the house, migrant worker was left on the roads, Churches and temples doors too were locked, but no situation could lock down the kingdom values. Not only the church but many people came forward to help the suffering humanity during the corona pandemic. Many people lost their lives in the process of serving the needy.
I mean to say that the proclamation of the gospel does not mean preaching from the pulpit of the church alone. Many women of good will proclaimed the kingdom values through the active participation in the corona relief work. Passage on last judgment fits very well as how to proclaim the kingdom values. Whatever you did to the least of my brothers and sisters, you did it to me.
9. Faith response/Praxis
1. Women should be more effectively involved in pastoral programs, in diocesan and parish pastoral councils, and in diocesan synods.
2. Their abilities and services should be fully appreciated in health care, in education, in preparing the faithful for the sacraments, in building community and in peace making.
3. The presence of women in the Church’s mission of love and service contributes greatly to bringing the compassionate Jesus, the healer and reconciler, to the poor and marginalized. The church should acknowledge their contribution.
4. Every baptized people are called to enhance the mission of Jesus. Every least work done by the women is a mission, whether it is done in the family, school, parish or religious houses. Because Jesus said, “whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” So, every least work done should be counted as mission of the church.
5. In Christianity since its very beginning, women have had a special dignity, of which the New Testament shows us many important aspects. They should get due respect and honour.
6. On specific occasion or feast days the contribution of women should be brought to the lime light.
7. The women see the world around them with the heart of the church that is they go beyond their personal and local interests in fulfilling the mission of the church. They should be helped.
8. Today the church has women theologians, canon lawyers, judges and chancellors. They should be brought to the front line of the parish counseling and parish organization.
9. Women empowerment does not mean that women are to be the supreme power of the society or the Church, but it would mean that women should have equal role in decision-making process in every sphere of life. The women should be appointed in the decision-making process in the parish and the dioceses.
10. Women should not be regarded as subordinate and inferior in the society. They should be treated as equal as men because in the sight of God all are equal.
11. In spite of all the capability and intellect, women have not found a respectful place in the church. Women have been mistreated and abused throughout history. But today the church has to take a lead to safeguard them.
12. Majority of women are more able to articulate their views and are able to command attention and respect within the household and within their community. They should be respected and given opportunity of lead and articulate.
13. Women have come out of their homes and are making tremendous contributions in the church. Every human being has the right to participate in the decision-making process irrespective of gender. They are capable of taking part in the decision-making process of diocesan synod. The church needs to provide positive thinking, positive self-image in order to alter the perception of women from a patriarchal view and grant them due recognition, dignity and equal treatment.
Conclusion
Women had their own unique role to play in the economy of salvation. And still today their role in the life and mission of the church is unique. They are fully human beings with the sound faculties of mind, emotions and the spirit. What we need to do is to give affirmation to women’s human dignity as persons of their own right, with their biological differences with men. Our affirmation and appreciation are very important for positioning them on an equal footing and partnership with men in the church. It is the need of the pilgrim church to discern whichever area women can be empowered so that they become fully part and partial in the work of evangelization. Today the church has to note that women are visible in all spheres of the church and society at large even those fields which were considered in the past to be set only for male. Today women are in the advisory and counselling committee of diocese and parishes. They are in the frontline to share their experience of God in the retreats and charismatic movement.
In the secular world we have women presidents, prime ministers, governors, defence ministers, secretaries of states, finance advisers, renowned scientists, film industry, sports, police and defence forces including air forces and many more. In order to make a better church we need to have a change of attitude through proper understanding of the role of women in the family, society, and in the Church and to bring about greater awareness in the church that women are not alien in the church. It is to remember that the salvific history began with women which continue even today. The church has to accept and believe that women are in no way inferior to men. Does the church have courage to take risk to walk along with the women?
Notes:
[1] https://thepopevideo.org/october-women-in-leadership-roles-in-the-church/ (05/10/2021)
[2] https://thepopevideo.org/october-women-in-leadership-roles-in-the-church/ (11/10/2021)
[3] Jane McNally, “Abuse of Christian Women in India and Remedy in 12 Biblical Studies on Equality of Man and Women,” (Delhi: ISPCK, 1997), 18.
[4] Ibid, 18.
[5] D. Pulla Rao, “Women of Disadvantaged Groups: Status and Empowerment,” (Delhi, 2011), 39.
[6] Ibid, 329.
Bibliography
McNally, Jane. “Abuse of Christian Women in India and Remedy in 12 Biblical Studies on Equality of Man and Women.” Delhi: ISPCK, 1997.
Rao, D. Pulla. “Women of Disadvantaged Groups: Status and Empowerment.” Delhi, 2011.
Internet citations:
https://thepopevideo.org/october-women-in-leadership-roles-in-the-church/
https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/francis-chronicles/popes-quotes-indispensable-contribution-women
https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=8422
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