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Justice for Women and Girls

Ordinary Time (Second Section)Equal Dignity, Justice and Belonging Week 37 · Day 4

Scripture References

Read First

Old Testament

Numbers 27:1-7

¹ Then the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh the son of Joseph came near. These are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.
² They stood before Moses, before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes and all the congregation, at the door of the Tent of Meeting, saying,
³ “Our father died in the wilderness. He was not amongst the company of those who gathered themselves together against the LORD in the company of Korah, but he died in his own sin. He had no sons.

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⁴ Why should the name of our father be taken away from amongst his family, because he had no son? Give to us a possession amongst the brothers of our father.”
⁵ Moses brought their cause before the LORD.
⁶ The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
⁷ “The daughters of Zelophehad speak right. You shall surely give them a possession of an inheritance amongst their father’s brothers. You shall cause the inheritance of their father to pass to them.

New Testament

Luke 13:10-17

¹⁰ He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath day.
¹¹ Behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years. She was bent over and could in no way straighten herself up.
¹² When Jesus saw her, he called her and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your infirmity.”

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¹³ He laid his hands on her, and immediately she stood up straight and glorified God.
¹⁴ The ruler of the synagogue, being indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the multitude, “There are six days in which men ought to work. Therefore come on those days and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day!”
¹⁵ Therefore the Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Doesn’t each one of you free his ox or his donkey from the stall on the Sabbath and lead him away to water?
¹⁶ Ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham whom Satan had bound eighteen long years, be freed from this bondage on the Sabbath day?”
¹⁷ As he said these things, all his adversaries were disappointed; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.

Thought for the Day

Numbers tells of five sisters who refuse to let their father’s name disappear. They come near, they speak plainly, and they ask for an inheritance. Their request is not treated as impertinence; it is brought before the Lord. And the Lord answers with a sentence that still startles: “What Zelophehad’s daughters are saying is right.” Law is amended for justice’s sake.

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In Luke, Jesus meets a woman bent double for eighteen years. He calls her forward, names her a “daughter of Abraham”, and sets her free on the Sabbath. He refuses a piety that can look at suffering and say, “Not today.” He does not call her nuisance; he names her kin and sets her straight.

Justice for women and girls is not merely about sentiment; it is about access, protection, and voice. Scripture is not embarrassed by women who speak, nor by laws that must change, nor by mercy that disrupts respectable schedules.

Lord, hear those who have been told to be quiet. Give courage to name wrongs and patience to pursue repair. Make our institutions quick to protect and slow to dismiss. And make your Church a place where the vulnerable are called forward, dignified, and defended, as those who belong in the household of your promises.

Prayer Points

Respond

Give justice and protection for women and girls facing discrimination, harassment, and violence.
Grant wisdom to lawmakers, judges, and safeguarding leaders to amend what is unjust and to enforce what is right.
Strengthen those who speak up; provide advocates, counsel, and safe community around them.

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Heal those bowed down by long harm; bring gentle restoration and steady support.
Make the Church courageous and trustworthy in safeguarding, truth-telling, and care.

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