A few women’s groups are studying the Christian Leadership in Marathi. Generally, in the culture, widows are considered bad omens and are not treated well. Learning from Paul’s instructions regarding ministry to widows, they started treating widows with dignity. Some churches have begun special ministry efforts and help for widows in their congregation. (I Timothy 5:9-16) Throughout the history of the Church, serving the underprivileged has been significant.
Counterculture: There was an ancient practice that was called Sati. A widow would be burnt alive in the funeral pyre of her husband. Thousands of widows have died like that. William Carey championed their cause, and it was banned by the British Government in 1829. Second, a widow is tolerated in the home as an unpaid slave, serving all members of a joint family. Third, widows flee homes, unable to bear humiliation and torture. They take refuge in some ashrams. Pandit Ramabai’s Mukti Mission was a shelter for such child widows and orphans. However, the Christian worldview treats widows as human beings created in the image of God, who deserve dignity and opportunity to live and fulfil God’s calling in their lives.
Christian spirituality: Caring for others, as an expression of Love your neighbour as yourself is a distinct mark of Christianity. Apostle James writes that taking care of widows is evidence of Christian spirituality. (James 1:27) Christian faith is not about traditions, customs and rituals, but a living faith that dynamically transforms individuals, families, communities, nations and culture.
Jerusalem Church: In the beginning of the Jerusalem church, after Pentecost, demonstrating doing good, caring for the needy, including widows, and loving others were basic traits of the Church. There were some issues in distribution, but was corrected by appointing deacons. (Acts 6:1)
God cares, so the church cares: God cares for the orphans, fatherless, defenceless, widows, needy, poor, strangers, oppressed, exploited, sick, abandoned, rejected, and marginalised. Hence, the Church is always in solidarity with such people, does relief work, empowers and rehabilitates them. By doing so, the Church demonstrates the love of God and the power of God that transforms many.
Do I care for those God cares for?