Gospel Reading : Luke 8:1-3
Soon afterwards he went on through cities and villages, preaching and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities:
Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.
What do the Fathers say?
St GREGORY NAZIANZEN. For He passes from place to place, that He may not only gain many, but may consecrate many places. He sleeps and labours, that He may sanctify sleep and labour. He weeps, that He may give a value to tears. He preaches heavenly things, that He may exalt His hearers.
St JEROME. It was a Jewish custom, nor was it thought blameable, according to the ancient manners of that nation, that women should afford of their substance food and clothing to their teachers. These ministered unto the Lord of their substance, that He might reap their carnal things from whom they had reaped spiritual things. Not that the Lord needed the food of His creatures, but that He might set an example to masters, that they ought to be content with food and clothing from their disciples.
St HILDEGARD of Bingen. When these women turned away from the darkness of the world to follow the Word made flesh, their hearts were made like garden soil awakened by the heat of the Sun of Justice. Out of their earthly substance they offered nourishment to Him who is the Bread of Life, demonstrating that whatever humanity possesses in this temporal life achieves its true beauty only when it is spent in the service of its Creator.
Antiphon for Saint Mary Magdalene: O sweet chosen one, who follow God and run in His love, while the world holds you not back—O most noble happiness, who have passed out of darkness into light!
St John Chrysostom. Consider how great was their endurance! How great their love! How noble their spirit! For they followed Him ministering to Him, and were present in His dangers… When the disciples had fled, these were present.
See how their affection conquered fear! For women are by nature easily frightened, but love cast out fear. They did not leave Him even in death, but stood beside the Cross, showing an affection beyond all words.
They had followed Him ministering to Him, and were present even unto the time of the dangers. Wherefore also they saw all; how He cried, how He gave up the ghost, how the rocks were rent, and all the rest.
Let us imitate the women; let us not forsake Jesus in temptations. For they for Him even dead spent so much and exposed their lives.
Mary Magdalene, because her love was so fervent and her sorrow so deep, she was awarded the first sight of the risen Lord… Woman, who was first to fall into sin, was made the first herald of life, that the stain of the ancient fall might be wiped clean by this glorious commission.
Sources:
Bible readings from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, Second Catholic Edition, copyright © 2006 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA
Quotes of the Fathers from :
Thomas Aquinas’ Catena Aurea Translated by St John Henry Newman
Saint Hildegard of Bingen – Homiliae in Evangelia
St John Chrysostom Homilies