YOUR article ‘Women’s role revisited’ (CL 26/9/04), contains a wide variety of issues concerning the place of women in the many structures of our society, as well as within the Christian family.
Beyond the many faces and names within that word Church, the reality is that we are one family whose lives are founded on the certain belief that Jesus is our Lord and God.
On his way to crucifixion, as was prophesied for him to be the ‘lamb that was slain’ for our salvation, Jesus taught 12 men about the Kingdom of God, how we should live and deal with the evil one.
Throughout those three years, he was supported and provided for by many women, but the fact remains that he sent 12 men, including Judas, to go out to the towns to proclaim the Kingdom of God, giving them authority over all demons and to cure diseases.
It was to the 12 disciples, now called apostles, that Jesus, after his resurrection, said, ‘You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth’.
Our priests are the continuing line of those apostles, going to the ends of the earth and are given the power from the Holy Spirit to be able to fulfil this same calling.
Is there a country now left ignorant of the gospel of the Good News?
For his own good purposes God chose 12 men for that task and he promised them the strength, ability and wisdom to do that.
Eleven died as a result of that calling, John was exiled to Patmos, and I will be more than content to fulfil the calling God has given to me.
The Church gives endless opportunities for service and proclamation of the Gospel, and I may not usurp another’s call and expect God’s blessing.
R. PARKER
Oxley, Qld
