TUESDAY OF THE THIRTY-SECOND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, NOVEMBER 08, 2022

MASS READINGS

A Reading from the letter of St. Paul to Ti 2:1-8, 11-14

Beloved: You must say what is consistent with sound doctrine, namely, that older men should be temperate, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, love, and endurance. Similarly, older women should be reverent in their behavior, not slanderers, not addicted to drink, teaching what is good, so that they may train younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, chaste, good homemakers, under the control of their husbands, so that the word of God may not be discredited.

Urge the younger men, similarly, to control themselves, showing yourself as a model of good deeds in every respect, with integrity in your teaching, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be criticized, so that the opponent will be put to shame without anything bad to say about us.

For the grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of the great God and of our savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people as his own, eager to do what is good.

REFLECTION

"Older women should be reverent in their behavior, not slanderers, not addicted to drink, teaching what is good, so that they may train younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, chaste, good homemakers, under the control of their husbands, so that the word of God may not be discredited."

If I had paid any attention to this reading 20 or 30 years ago, I would have been very upset. I would have thought it was patriarchal advice for submissiveness from a 1950's women's magazine.

But it is not. St. Paul's words for men and women are truly wise.

A week or so ago, I had the chance to visit my mother in our hometown, and I was able to participate in one of her "cafecitos". It is customary for small groups of women to get together once or twice a week to drink coffee and chat. Usually these gatherings will be of people of similar interests: their children will be of the same age, their husbands work together, they went to the same school, etc.

One of these groups was founded by our late member Tere (Teresa). She would invite different small groups pretty much every day and have a good time over coffee and pastries. She had a great conversation, and in that chat, she would know the strengths of everybody and steer them towards how they could help the community.

Some of the ladies were introduced to 40 Days for Life, and now they run this twice a year. Some are trained psychologists, so they started Rachel's Vineyard. Some are physicians, so they would provide healthcare for women and their children. Some mothers worried about the LGBTQ+ impact in their children, and Tere encouraged them to tell the truth, so now these mothers teach in middle and high schools about the dangers of gender ideology.

So you see, getting together and having a good time doesn't mean that one has to get wasted and numbed. Or that we always have to have "an agenda". Before anything, we need to be open to what other women's cares and concerns are. To listen to them. And once trust has been formed, give advice if asked. That is how older women can help younger steer their talents towards goodness.

God bless y'all!