15 November 2020

She opens her hand to the poor,
and reaches out her hands to the needy.
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Give her a share in the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the city gates.
Proverbs 31:10-13,19-20,30-31RSV

At first glance, this reading may seem to be outdated in the image it portrays of the “perfect wife”. Perhaps it is worth noting that this poem was being addressed to a man, probably King Lemuel, whose mother is wanting him to have high standards in his choice of a wife. The image this mother paints may seem to be that of a domestic super heroine, but the message of this passage is more about the character of the woman than about her gender, her actions or the social expectations of the time. Her good management of her household and her care for others show her to be a strong, faithful, wise, hard-working and God loving person. If we stop to think, it is likely that we can all name men and women, married or single, who show these characteristics. They may not be super heroes or heroines but their fidelity to caring for others through the many daily tasks this involves, make them indispensable. 

• • Why did Lemuel’s mother want him to find a wife who was generous to the poor?
  • What are the qualities we need today for families and society to flourish? 

Pray today for all those who faithfully carry out the daily and often unnoticed tasks that are necessary to our families and communities.