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Honouring Women and Girls

Ordinary Time (Second Section)Equal Dignity, Justice and Belonging Week 37 · Day 3

Scripture References

Read First

Old Testament

Judges 4:4-10

⁴ Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, judged Israel at that time.
⁵ She lived under Deborah’s palm tree between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim; and the children of Israel came up to her for judgement.
⁶ She sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedesh Naphtali, and said to him, “Hasn’t the LORD, the God of Israel, commanded, ‘Go and lead the way to Mount Tabor, and take with you ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?

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⁷ I will draw to you, to the river Kishon, Sisera, the captain of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into your hand.’”
⁸ Barak said to her, “If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go.”
⁹ She said, “I will surely go with you. Nevertheless, the journey that you take won’t be for your honour; for the LORD will sell Sisera into a woman’s hand.” Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.
¹⁰ Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali together to Kedesh. Ten thousand men followed him; and Deborah went up with him.

New Testament

Matthew 28:1-10

¹ Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.
² Behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from the sky and came and rolled away the stone from the door and sat on it.
³ His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.

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⁴ For fear of him, the guards shook, and became like dead men.
⁵ The angel answered the women, “Don’t be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus, who has been crucified.
⁶ He is not here, for he has risen, just like he said. Come, see the place where the Lord was lying.
⁷ Go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead, and behold, he goes before you into Galilee; there you will see him.’ Behold, I have told you.”
⁸ They departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring his disciples word.
⁹ As they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” They came and took hold of his feet, and worshipped him.
¹⁰ Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Go tell my brothers that they should go into Galilee, and there they will see me.”

Thought for the Day

Judges introduces Deborah without apology: a prophet, a judge, a leader in Israel. She listens, she speaks, she sends. Barak will not go without her, and she goes. In a violent and unsettled time, God places strength and wisdom in a woman’s hands, and his people are helped.

Lord Jesus, teach us to honour as you honour. Raise up courage and wisdom, tenderness and strength, in women and girls. Give your Church the grace to recognise and bless what you have given. And where there has been harm, bring truth, protection, and healing.

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Matthew, at the other end of the story, gives the first Easter message to women. While men are absent or fearful, the women come to the tomb. The risen Christ meets them, speaks to them, and sends them: “Go and tell.” The first witnesses are not chosen for social status, but by the Lord’s own delight.

To honour women and girls is therefore not an add-on to Christian life. It is a way of being faithful to Scripture. It means making space for gifts, refusing contempt, and treating safety as sacred. It also means resisting the subtler dishonours: the joke, the interruption, the assumption that “serious” work belongs elsewhere.

Prayer Points

Respond

Thank you for Deborah’s witness and for the women at the empty tomb; teach us to receive your gifts with joy.
Protect women and girls in homes, workplaces, and public spaces; restrain violence and grant safe refuge.
Heal those wounded by abuse or contempt; bring truth, justice, and patient restoration.

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Give churches habits of honour: listening, shared leadership, and support for calling and vocation.
Form in us speech that builds up rather than belittles; make respect ordinary.

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