Our Gospel today is only three verses long, yet these contain something beautiful.

Jesus is traveling from town to town proclaiming the Kingdom of God. The Twelve are with Him. But Saint Luke makes a point of telling us that women were also traveling with Jesus: Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, “and many others.”

We can easily overlook this detail. But in the world in which Jesus lived, this was significant. Women did not generally enjoy the same social standing and opportunities as men. Yet Jesus welcomed them into the community of disciples.

And Luke does not present these women simply as people who received something from Jesus. Yes, some had been healed and liberated. But after receiving, they began giving. They supported the mission “out of their resources.” They were not merely beneficiaries. They became collaborators. This is very inspiring, especially for women.

From the beginning, women had an important place in the mission of Jesus. They supported His ministry. They followed Him. Later, women would remain near Him at Calvary when many others had fled. And on Easter morning, women would be among the first witnesses of the empty tomb.

So to the women in our Church today: Never think that your contribution is secondary. The Church needs your faith, wisdom, courage, compassion, leadership, and generosity.

And there is another beautiful detail. Luke names Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna. Then he simply says, “and many others.” No names. Perhaps nobody remembered their names. But Jesus did.

This is good news for anyone who sometimes feels unnoticed or less privileged. You may not have a title. You may not have much money. You may never stand at the microphone. Your name may never appear on a program.

But never say, “I have nothing to contribute.” If you have time, give time. If you have knowledge, share it. If you have resources, be generous. If you have influence, use it for good. And if you have very little, remember the widow who offered two small coins. Before God, the greatness of a gift is measured not simply by its amount, but by the love with which it is given.

Work in silence

I remember the story of an elderly woman who regularly cleaned her parish church. She had no position and received no salary. One day someone asked her, “Nanay, why do you keep doing this? Nobody even notices.”

She smiled and said, “I am not doing this so people will notice me. I am preparing God’s house for His children.”

Final Words

Beautiful. Holiness is sometimes as simple as that.

Do not spend your life asking, “Why am I not important?” Ask instead: “Lord, what have You given me? And how can I use it for You?”

Because in the Kingdom of God, there are no useless people. There are only gifts waiting to be offered.