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In Mark 14:9, Jesus says, “Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”
He is speaking about a woman who, Bedford-Strohm reflects, is particularly important in the Passion story. “Today, on International Women's Day, she is for me a particularly striking example of the central importance of women in the Bible,” Bedford-Strohm said. “The nameless woman comes to Jesus in Bethany and anoints him with precious nard oil.”
The men around Jesus think this is a waste. But then, Jesus says, "She has anointed my body in advance for my burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”
Strohm further noted that, three times before, Jesus told his disciples that he was going to die. But they object. “They don't want to hear it,” said Bedford-Strohm. “The men can't stand the truth. They deny the suffering.”
It is a woman who breaks through the denial, noted Strohm. “That this story got such a central place in the Bible in a patriarchal world, is amazing!” Strohm said. “Women all over the world preach, baptize, comfort, stand by the dying.”
He concluded: "Like the woman in Bethany who is the only one who understands what Jesus says and stands by him in the face of suffering. For all of us, this woman is an inspiration. Especially today, on International Women's Day.”
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Video message of Bishop Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm on International Women’s Day
