SAINTS CORNELIUS, POPE, AND CYPRIAN, BISHOP, MARTYRS (MEMORIAL)

Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, . . . provided for them. 

We don’t know much about Joanna, but we can glean a few things from today’s Gospel. It’s likely that she was well-off. Her husband, Chuza, was Herod’s steward, which means he managed all of Herod’s assets and property—a well-paying, important job to be sure. Joanna seemed to be a rather enterprising, independent woman herself. At least she was independent enough to spend her money supporting Jesus in his ministry.

So imagine this wealthy, self-sufficient woman making the transition from a comfortable home to life on the road. Imagine her giving up the security of her own bed and sleeping under the stars instead. Imagine her giving up her own servants and instead devoting herself to serving Jesus. Imagine too the risk she was taking. Remember, it was Herod, her husband’s employer, who had arrested Jesus’ kinsman John and had him beheaded. It was Herod who was fascinated by Jesus and who ultimately would hand him over to Pilate. How would Jesus’ other disciples react to her joining their ranks?

But Joanna was so moved by Jesus that she willingly embraced a difficult and dangerous life in order to follow him. She had already experienced his healing touch (Luke 8:3), but it wasn’t enough just to be restored and set free. She wanted to learn from him. She wanted to know God the way he did. She probably had many opportunities to go back and resume her old life, but she remained steadfast. Even when the disciples deserted Jesus in Gethsemane, Joanna stayed; she was one of a very small number of disciples who followed him all the way to Calvary (23:55).

In a way, we are all like Joanna. We may not want to give up our comfort in order to pray or to help the people around us. We may feel ill-equipped to be a true disciple. We may feel as if we don’t fit in. But as Jesus welcomed Joanna and made a place for her, he will do the same for you. You might tell him, It’s hard to follow you, but he responds, I know; let me help you. You might say, I don’t belong, but he answers, You are always welcome in my house. Always.

“Jesus, thank you for welcoming me as your disciple.”

1 Corinthians 15:12-20
Psalm 17:1, 6-8, 15
Luke 8:1-3