When John Adams was in Philadelphia working on what would become the Declaration of Independence his wife, Abigail, wrote to him. “In the new Code of Laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make I desire you would Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favourable to them than your ancestors.” He did not heed her advice since it took another 144 years for women to have the right to vote. When St. Luke was writing his gospel, I picture Mrs. Luke whispering in his ear “Remember the Ladies.” His gospel features women much more prominently that the others. Luke depicts Jesus as friends with Martha and Mary, he talks about Mary Magdalene and her companions as supporting the ministry of Jesus, and, as in today’s text, will frequently pair a story about a man with one about a women — shepherd losing his sheep, a woman losing her coin. The Church today needs to heed the message: Remember the Ladies. The church will remain stunted from its full potential until it finds a way to incorporate fully the gifts and talents of women into the heart of what we say and do.
