Good News for Donkeys, Bad News for Women

 The Vatican has once again ruled that women may not preach the homily at Mass because, according to the latest decree, only ordained men can do so.

Apparently, the Holy Spirit can inspire women to teach theology, write books, lead universities, serve as missionaries, proclaim the Resurrection, raise families, run parishes, direct diocesan offices, and keep countless faith communities alive—but when it comes to preaching a homily, suddenly the Spirit encounters a canonical roadblock.

The reasoning offered is that the homily belongs to the very nature of the liturgy and therefore must be reserved to ordained clergy. (Internazionale⁠) - all male, of course.

Yet one cannot help but wonder: if God could speak through a donkey in the Book of Numbers, surely God can speak through a woman at Mass.

The irony is that women have been preaching the Gospel from the beginning. Mary Magdalene, the Apostle to the Apostles, announced the Resurrection before Peter preached a single sermon. Phoebe served as a deacon in the early Church. Junia was named among the apostles. And today countless gifted women theologians, pastoral ministers, and preachers are nourishing the faith of Catholics around the world. (Wikipedia⁠)

This decree does not diminish women’s gifts. It only highlights how fearful some church leaders remain of hearing women’s voices from the pulpit.

For two thousand years, whenever authorities have tried to silence the voices of women, the Spirit has simply found another microphone.

And she still is.

The Vatican may reserve pulpits for ordained men, but the Spirit has already moved beyond the velvet ropes. Women priests are preaching the Gospel on every continent, and no decree can put the Holy Spirit back in the sacristy. What comes from the Spirit cannot be stopped!

PS

The story  of the donkey is found in the Book of Numbers, chapter 22. The prophet Balaam was traveling to meet King Balak when an angel of God blocked the road. Balaam could not see the angel, but his donkey could.

Three times the donkey tried to avoid the angel, and three times Balaam beat her. Then God opened the donkey’s mouth, and she spoke:

“What have I done to you that you have struck me these three times?” (Numbers 22:28)

Balaam argued with the donkey, who replied:

“Am I not your donkey, upon which you have ridden all your life to this day? Have I been accustomed to treat you in this way?” (Numbers 22:30)

After this exchange, God opened Balaam’s eyes, and he finally saw the angel standing in the road with a drawn sword. The angel explained that the donkey had actually saved Balaam’s life by turning aside.

The story is often interpreted as a reminder that:God can speak through the most unexpected voices.. Animals and those considered insignificant may perceive truths that powerful people miss. Humility and openness are necessary to hear God’s message. Sometimes the messenger we dismiss or mistreat is the one carrying wisdom.

From a contemporary perspective, the speaking donkey can symbolize all the voices that are often ignored or silenced. The story invites us to ask: Whose wisdom are we overlooking today?

As a feminist and inclusive reading might suggest, perhaps God still speaks through those whom religious institutions have not always listened to—women, LGBTQ+ persons, the marginalized, and all who bear prophetic witness. Like Balaam, we may need our eyes opened to recognize that the Spirit is already speaking through them.