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40 Days of Lent: Day 28

40 Days of Lent: Day 28

08 Mar 2023 | Office for Mission and Identity (OMI)

40 Days of Lent: Day 28

March, being Women’s Month, is a special time to give honor, recognize and pay tribute to the women in our lives. Surely, it is an important celebration for none of us would be here if not for them who gave birth to us and who play such important roles in our family, communities and society. At the same time, history has been full of women who have shaped our paths and made this world better.

Undeniably, even Jesus had women that were crucial to his story and his mission. There was Mary Magdalene, often considered as one of his first disciples together with Joanna, Susana and Salome. Who can forget Mary and Martha, the sisters who showed much affection for him in two different ways? The weeping women of Jerusalem were also very prominent in the narrative about his crucifixion. And, of course, Mary his mother was present not only to Christ but to us, too, as she remains our intercessor until now.

Who are the women in your life, perhaps those who have cared for you, sacrificed to give you what’s better, and showed you hope and love? How have they contributed to your well-being? What part in your story and mission do they play? Today may be a good time to thank them, relish their presence and pray for them. For the Lord whom we approach is one whose heart and life had a special place for women. And in honoring the women in our life, we give glory to our Creator who made such beautiful companions to share in our joys, comfort us in our grief, and inspire us in this journey.

40 Araw ng Kuwaresma: Ika-28 Araw

Bilang Buwan ng mga Kababaihan, ang buwan ng Marso ay isang natatanging panahon upang parangalan, kilalanin at bigyang-pugay ang mga babae sa ating buhay. Tunay na mahalagang pagdiriwang ito sapagkat wala sa atin ang naririto ngayon kung hindi dahil sa kanila na nagsilang sa atin at gumagampan sa mahahalagang tungkulin sa ating mga pamilya, komunidad at lipunan. Kaakibat nito, puno rin ang ating kasaysayan ng mga babaeng humubog sa ating landas at higit na nagpabuti sa ating mundo.

Hindi maitatanggi na mayroong mga kababaihan na naging mahalaga sa salaysay at misyon ni Hesus. Naroon si Maria ng Magdala, na kadalasang tinutukoy bilang isa sa mga una niyang tagasunod kasama ni Juana, Susana at Salome. Sinong makakalimot kay Maria at Marta, ang magkapatid na nagpakita ng pagmamahal sa kanya sa dalawang magkaibang paraan? Naroon din ang mga babae ng Herusalem na nananaghoy nang ipapako na siya sa krus. At higit sa lahat, si Maria na kanyang ina na hindi lamang naroon para kay Kristo kung hindi maging sa ating lahat sa kanyang pagpapatuloy bilang ating tagapamagitan.

Sino ang mga kababaihan ng iyong buhay, marahil iyong mga nagmalasakit sa iyo, nagsakripisyo upang pagkalooban ka ng kung ano ang mas mainam, na nagturo sa iyo ng pag-asa at pag-ibig? Paano sila nakatutulong na mapabuti ang iyong kapakanan? Ano ang kanilang bahagi sa iyong salaysay at misyon? Mabuting pasalamatan sila, namnamin ang kanilang presensya at ipanalangin sila ngayong araw. Sapagkat ang Panginoong ating nilalapitan ay may puso at buhay na may natatanging puwang para sa mga babae. At sa pagpaparangal natin sa mga kababaihan, binibigyang-luwalhati rin natin ang Tagapaglikha na gumawa nitong ating maririlag na kasama na nakikibahagi sa ating galak, nagkakaloob ng kapanatagan sa ating dusa, at naghihikayat sa ating paglalakbay.