A Salute to Women

March is National Women’s Month and this year’s theme is, “Lipunang Patas sa Bagong Pilipinas: Kakayahan ng Kababaihan, Patutunayan!” As cited in the web page of Philippine Commission on Women, this year’s celebration aims to capitalize on the recurring theme “WE for gender equality and inclusive society,” introduced in 2023. This theme, launched to renew commitment to the advocacy, builds upon the accomplishments under the 2016-2022 theme, “WE Make CHANGE Work for Women.” The earlier theme stressed the importance of compassionate and harmonized networks towards gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE).

With that, we salute all women for their contribution in our society. They play an important and crucial role in our families, government and private institutions and also in churches. It is only fitting that we acknowledge and thank them for their hard work in everything that they do for us, may they be a housewife, working mom, single mom, working single women, nuns and lay women, among others.

On another note, may all women be like Tabitha, a widow who lived in Joppa. Who was described in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 9:32-43) as a believer. She also spent all her time doing good and helping the poor. For some time, she got sick and died. Peter who was near Joppa was summoned by Tabitha’s company. He knelt down and prayed and said Tabitha get up! She opened her eyes and sat up. Peter reached over and helped her get up. Then he called all the believers, including the widows, and presented her alive to them.

Indeed, if we believe in Jesus and do good things like Tabitha hopefully we will be raised in death to be with God in heaven someday.

Kudos to all women out there!

Below is a short prayer for all women:

Dear Lord, it is our prayer that all women may be heard, valued and treated well where ever they are. Bless them with wisdom and grace that they may be able to contribute in making our society prosper. May they imitate Mama Mary and their actions be pleasing to you. This we pray in Jesus mighty name. Amen

“Charm is deceptive and beauty disappears, but a woman who honors the Lord should be praised.” – Proverbs 31:30