How essential women are to worship and church. When we read scripture, we know the disciples, all men. We know the epistles of St. Paul, St. Peter and other apostles. The women leave few words and no written epistles. However, one of the greatest quotes in the Bible is Mary’s, soon to be the mother of the messiah, acceptance of her task. Her answer “I am the servant of the Lord. May it be done to me as you say” (Luke 1:38). Thus, a new pathway for human history begins. Jesus comes to show us what love is. He comes to show us how to overcome selfishness and care for others.

There are points in his ministry that women are very evident in his earthly mission. Women are a powerful component in every religion, perhaps because they deal with everyday life. They deal with the constant needs of others. Women are connected to the rhythm of nature in their very bodies. Ultimately, women care for others. In our modern world, women are not constrained by home duties and responsibilities as in the past; they can choose to enter the work arena and select work they are interested in or skilled at. However, regardless of what women do in the work world, most have domestic duties and children who need guidance and love. Marriage, for many women today, although a joy, comes with dual responsibilities of home and work.

Because women are so versatile in their ability to care for others, they are great helpers to churches and organizations. They are, in many ways, the social strength of the church. Women have special grace in dealing with ordinary living tasks, church and community included.

Christian women are called to care for their children, family and the community. I think of the passage of scripture, “Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, three and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means” (Luke 8:2-3). Women stayed with Jesus to the end and were witnesses to his resurrection. They are very much part of his story. They are the caregivers, the supplier of comfort and everyday help.

Women are talented at care. Women do this in their ordinary lives, in the family, in the office, in the Church and in every community everywhere. Most often today, women are seen as physically strong, independent and capable of any job the world has to offer. This is true, but somehow the softer side, the caring side, gets hidden so the worldly advantages seen onscreen and in magazines may present superwoman, making the world recognize her and her talents. Women are not men; some of the strongest people I have ever known are women. Yet there are no magazine articles about them or movies about their lives–my mother, for instance. Women can bear pain and tragedy, and they can be comforters, and good listeners and still make dinner and fold the laundry (most likely at the same time.)

Still, perhaps the most significant thing a woman does is raise multiple human beings who are decent and virtuous citizens for society. The media does not like to cover this because it is so mundane. Women deal with the little stuff in life. If the babies are small, their tiny world is hardly worthy of video or social media coverage. But the small world of the child and the mother caring for it exchange vital communications and values. The world of small children is the foundation of a human being’s life, and the mother is its mentor. What could be more important to the community?

Ideally, this small world of the child needs both mother and father, so the child has two differing perspectives of reality. But women are uniquely made for this task. It does not mean that is all they can do; it does mean that this small world of care and compassion for children is a critical priority.

Women now have to balance the work world and the home world. The workplace for women is often stressful, as they find themselves in both arenas, requiring a focus. Mothers need an oasis to renew their energy and skills to care for others. Church and a committed Christian life can help. There is always someone to listen to you and grace to fill you with the needed energy and self-worth that allows us to move forward in our lives.

Christian women, I ask you to see what has been given you in these times. To answer as Mary, “I will,” accepting where you are in this life and going forward with renewed hope and grace to care, helping your family, your community and your world. No matter where you are or what church you attend, as a Christian woman, may your skills and grace further the love of God and, like the women around Jesus, care for others.

Kathleen Carlton Johnson, Ph.D., hospice chaplain, may be reached at faithtoday2023@gmail.com.