![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/148\/2013\/04\/Pope-Francis-with-women.jpg\" "\\"Pope")
<\/a>There was a great hullabaloo in the blogosphere last week, <\/strong>when word got out that Pope Francis had washed the feet of two young women on Holy Thursday.\u00a0 Was this licit?\u00a0 Was it a rejection of ecclesiastical law? \u00a0A return to Gnosticism?\u00a0 A bad example for confused Catholics in the pews?<\/p>\nToday in St. Peter\u2019s Square, speaking at the Wednesday General Audience, Pope Francis may have tipped his hand<\/strong>\u2014showing us the direction he is headed with regard to the role of women in the Church.<\/p>\n First he reminded us that it was women<\/strong> who were the first witnesses to the Resurrection:<\/p>\n First, we note that the first witnesses to this event were the women. \u00a0At dawn, they go to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus, and find the first sign: the empty tomb (Mk 16:1). \u00a0This is followed by an encounter with a Messenger of God who proclaims: Jesus of Nazareth, the Crucified One, he is not here, he is risen (cf. vv. 5-6). \u00a0The women are driven by love and know how to accept this proclamation with faith: they believe, and immediately transmit it, they do not keep it for themselves. \u00a0They cannot contain the joy of knowing that Jesus is alive, the hope that fills their heart. <\/em><\/p>\n This should also be the same in our lives. \u00a0Let us feel the joy of being Christian! \u00a0We believe in the Risen One who has conquered evil and death! \u00a0Let us also have the courage to \u201cgo out\u201d to bring this joy and light to all the places of our lives! \u00a0The Resurrection of Christ is our greatest certainty, it is our most precious treasure! \u00a0How can we not share this treasure, this beautiful certainty with others! \u00a0It\u2019s not just for us, it\u2019s to be transmitted, shared with others\u2014this is our testimony!<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Then he notes that in the culture<\/strong> at the time the gospels were written, women were not considered reliable witnesses.\u00a0 In the Gospels, however, women have a primary, fundamental role.<\/strong>\u00a0 Pope Francis explained that this fact is evidence of the authenticity of the Gospels, since no historian of the time would have given such a prominent role to women, had he not been reporting the truth.<\/p>\n Another element. In the professions of faith of the New Testament, only men are remembered as witnesses of the Resurrection, the Apostles, but not the women. \u00a0This is because, according to the Jewish Law of the time, women and children were not considered reliable, credible witnesses. \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n In the Gospels, however, women have a primary, fundamental role. \u00a0Here we can see an argument in favor of the historicity of the Resurrection: if it were invented, in the context of that time it would not have been linked to the testimony of women. \u00a0Instead, the evangelists simply narrate what happened: the women were the first witnesses. <\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n God, too, the Pope explains, exhibits no prejudice<\/strong> in choosing witnesses from among his people:\u00a0 choosing to reveal himself to humble shepherds and women.\u00a0 Pope Francis understands that the choice of women to be the first to witness the Resurrection, when Jewish legal system would not have recognized them as credible witnesses, is a form of apologetics for gender equality (but not sameness).<\/p>\n This tells us that God does not choose according to human criteria: \u00a0the first witnesses of the birth of Jesus are the shepherds, simple and humble people, the first witnesses of the Resurrection are women. \u00a0This is beautiful, and this is the mission of women, of mothers and women, to give witness to their children and grandchildren that Christ is Risen! \u00a0Mothers, go forward with this witness! \u00a0What matters to God is our heart, if we are open to Him, if we are like trusting children. <\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n And likewise in the Church,<\/strong> women\u2014with their deep love and trust\u2014are leaders in our journey of faith.<\/p>\n After the apparitions to women, there were others: \u00a0Jesus becomes present in a new way: \u00a0He is the Crucified One, but his body is glorious; He did not return to an earthly life, but a new condition. \u00a0At first they did not recognize him, and only through his words and deeds were their eyes opened: the encounter with the Risen Lord transforms, it gives new strength to faith, an unshakable foundation. \u00a0The Risen Christ also reveals Himself to us with many signs: Sacred Scripture, the Eucharist, the other Sacraments, charity, these gestures of love bring a ray of the Risen One.\u00a0<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Does this mean that we will soon have women priests?<\/strong>\u00a0 No\u2014there is nothing in the Pope\u2019s remarks to suggest that.\u00a0 There are, in fact, serious doctrinal issues<\/a> which mitigate against a female presbyterate.\u00a0 However, what we have come to see is that our pope is fair, loving, and respectful of women as full members of the Body of Christ.<\/p>\n<\/a>But this also leads us to reflect on how in the Church and in the journey of faith, women have had and still have a special role in opening doors to the Lord, in following him and communicating his face, because the eyes of faith always need the simple and profound look of love. <\/strong>\u00a0The Apostles and disciples find it harder to believe in the Risen Christ, not the women however! \u00a0Peter runs to the tomb, but stops before the empty tomb; Thomas has to touch the wounds of the body of Jesus with his hands. \u00a0In our journey of faith it is important to know and feel that God loves us, do not be afraid to love: \u00a0faith is professed with the mouth and heart, with the word and love.<\/em><\/p>\n