Women's Participation In the Passion and Resurrection of Jesus In the Gospel of Luke With Reference to The Situation of Today's Africa
Date
2004-02
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Tangaza University College
Abstract
The gospel of Luke is often called "The Gospel of the Poor," just as it is called
"The Gospel of Women," meaning that Luke's concern for the marginalised and
oppressed is apparent. It is important to analyse the link between these concerns, since
most of the poor in every age are women, and the children who are dependent on them.
This Gospel contains a challenge and a promise for women, because a close reading of
the Gospel can be an empowering education.'
The number of women depicted in Luke and the emphasis on their presence in
the narrative are surprising. Women characters are taken over from Mark and from Q,
and many others are found only in Luke's special source called (L). Throughout the
Gospel, the technique called "pairing"2 is noticeable.
In our investigation, we would like to pay attention not just to the number of
women but mostly to what they are doing and saying. But because of the limitation of
our work, we will just pick up some examples in which, after some analysis, we will see
the intention of Luke in portraying these women as models for us.
Therefore our first chapter will be to look at the biblical text as it is. This will
probably provide us with some information to draw some conclusions on the chosen
passages and the intention of Luke. We will then be able to see some of the challenges
that Luke gives in portraying these women as models in the society of that time. In the gospel of Luke, the writer seems to tell us that it is not only a direct call to
follow Jesus that is constitutive of discipleship, but the positive response to Jesus and
openness to the word of the Lord. And this is what many of the women did in this
Gospel. In his two-volume work (Gospel and Acts), the writer of Luke wants to show
how women, from the beginning to the end of the public life of Jesus, participated in the
proclamation of the reign of God. In a very special way, the Gospel of Luke mentions
women who follow Jesus in his journey through Palestine (8:1-3; 10:38-42)
In his infancy narrative (1-2) Luke, who shows a certain interest in women's
stories3, begins his gospel account with the tales of three women (Elizabeth, Mary and
Anna) whose faith held potent expectation's. Luke also tells us that a follower of Jesus
must leave "everything" for there is no true discipleship without suffering. In Luke, the
whole life and ministry of Jesus is described as a journey; a journey that leads to
Calvary. In this journey Jesus meets people (women and men) in their daily life. In
reading the gospel of Luke one has the impression of watching a live-movie with date,
places, people (by name) etc. so that in the end s/he sees that for Luke, to follow Jesus
seems to be an imperative invitation to all of us.
Consequently, we are invited to make this Gospel real and alive in our present
life. In the third chapter we will draw some conclusions about how women, who took
part in the salvific movement, can still help us today to work for a true and liberating
Christian society, where women also have their place and dignity. The women of Jesus'
time followed Jesus with and in their own suffering and limitation. But they never lose
hope that they can be well again (8:43-48); that true liberation will come from God (1:46-55). If so, can we count on the faith, the courage and hope against hope of our
mothers and sisters in building up, in binding and reconciling the African people, who
seem to be in a dark and hard time.
When things go bad human beings always try their best to solve the problem.
But sometimes solutions are sought in a wrong way or unilaterally. It is time now that
men listen to the voices of women, that they "democratise" the way to the solutions by
allowing the other half of humanity to speak, act and profess what they believe. Women
have a role to play as they try to remain close to their true liberator, Jesus Christ.
Description
Keywords
Women's Participation, Resurrection of Jesus, Passion of Jesus, Gospel of Luke, The Situation of Today's Africa