I love a good underdog story. Especially when they win! In America, the underdog is a person or team who is decidedly expected to lose. He or they may have a huge disadvantage. Perhaps a previous hardship or situation is the cause for the underdog title. Nevertheless, I often find myself rooting for the underdog.
Today’s Gospel reading highlights a few underdogs, if you will. Mary Magdelene, Joanna who was the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, and Susanna are all women who could be considered marginalized and unexpected characters to accompany Jesus on His ministry.
And yet, there they all were providing for Jesus and His disciples. Happily, welcomed.
Not a Box
The point is that the Kingdom is not a box we need to fit neatly into. Jesus welcomes all sorts of people, all in fact, when their hearts are contrite and full of love for Him. If we look carefully at the First Reading, Paul explains that faith cannot be empty; you must have it to be part of God’s Mission and Kingdom.
I encourage you to work on transforming your hearts daily, hourly, if need be. Recognize the blessings in your lives and remedy the sins that block you from true oneness with our Savior.
