The women

Today's Gospel Reading (Luke 8:1-3)

Now it happened that after this he made his way through towns and villages preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. With him went the Twelve, as well as certain women who had been cured of evil spirits and ailments: Mary surnamed the Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Joanna the wife of Herod's steward Chuza, Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their own resources.

The women

Today, Jesus walks with the twelve and some women, spreading the
Word. There is a considerable difference between the way the disciples 

follow Jesus and the way the women do. The Gospels leave us in No 

doubt that “many” women formed part of the constituency of 

believers and that they “accompanied Jesus in the faith” which was essential to being part of this community. This is clearly demonstrated later on at the foot of the Cross and at the resurrection.

In opposition to the customs of the times where women were considered
secondary citizens, Christ started a sort of female emancipation.
Femininity completes humanity as much as masculinity does but in very
different ways; Women have a special sensitivity to be able to capture
what is new, different and great, what is mysterious that appears in
Jesus Christ. He brings them into his company in a special way and from
this comes forth the "Womanly Charisma".

—Mary, you are blessed among all women and mother of the church.