Imitate the women who provided for Jesus during his ministry.

The Gospel today presents us with a beautiful example of generosity. St. Luke tells us that Jesus traveled from town to town proclaiming the Good News, accompanied not only by the Twelve but also by several women who had experienced His healing and mercy. These women, including Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna, “provided for them out of their resources.” Their example teaches us that gratitude should lead to generosity. They had received much from Jesus, and they responded by giving what they had. They did not simply become followers who listened to His teaching; they became supporters of His mission. Their resources helped Jesus and His disciples continue the work of proclaiming the Kingdom. This challenges us to ask: What am I doing with the blessings God has given me? God does not ask us to give what we do not have. He asks us to offer what is already in our hands—our time, talents, money, skills, food, hospitality, compassion, and prayers. There is something especially beautiful about these women assisting Jesus Himself. The Son of God allowed ordinary people to participate in His ministry. He accepted their generosity and made their gifts part of His mission. This reminds us that whenever we serve others, especially those who are poor, sick, lonely, or in need, we are also serving Christ. What we give to others in love, we give to Jesus. Generosity also brings a reward. The reward is not always immediate or material. Sometimes we give and receive no recognition. Sometimes our sacrifice is known only to God. But Jesus sees every act of love. St. Paul gives us the foundation of this hope: Christ has been raised from the dead. Because Christ is risen, our sacrifices are never meaningless and our generosity is never wasted. What we give for God's glory can have an eternal value. The women in today's Gospel probably did not imagine that their simple acts of service would be remembered throughout the centuries. Yet their generosity became part of the Gospel itself. This teaches us that even a small gift, when given with love, can become something great in God's hands. The generous heart receives the joy of knowing that what is given to Christ is never lost.