Odd Man Out

Pythagoras, the Greek philosopher, regarded even numbers as feminine and odd numbers as masculine. He preferred odd numbers, freely admitting his prejudice against the even, "feminine" ones. This is one mild example of how women have been treated as second-class citizens for centuries. And it is no wonder that many women today have protested this treatment - in some circles quite militantly!

Of course, Jesus was the first real champion of righteous and rightful feminism. How he loved and cherished those women (there were "many" of them, writes Matthew), his fellow travelers from Galilee to Jerusalem, supporting him financially and taking care of him (see Matthew 27:55; Luke 8:2-3). They were the first to hear the angel's news report describing the resurrection, the first to see Jesus in his glorified body, and the first ones assigned by him to evangelize even his apostles, by announcing the Resurrection (see Matthew 28:5-10).

With such noble and God-recogneized prestige, no wonder the first pope, Peter, wrote that husbands should respect and honor their wives, if they want their prayers answered! (see 1 Peter 3:7). That "honor-women-or-else" warning, if heeded by all, could change the very fiber of modern family life, and hence all of society!

This excerpt is from the book One-Minute Meditations for Busy People, by John H. Hampsch, C.M.F., originally published by Servant Publications. It and other of Fr. Hampsch's books and audio/video recordings can be purchased from Claretian Teaching Ministry, 20610 Manhattan Pl, #120, Torrance, CA 90501-1863. Phone 1-310-782-6408 or www.Catholicbooks.net