August 2.  Inclusive language.  Martin opened up the topic with a look at exclusive or inclusive language. “Let’s take a look at the rally described in the gospel and these 5000 men, besides women and children.  Would they really have gone without taking any provisions with them?  That seems a very un-womanly thing to do.  Was there only one woman, or could it have been a man, who had brought some loaves and fish? The story illustrates God’s concern for us, for our human needs and spiritual needs, because they hadn’t spent the day with Jesus expecting to be fed.  The fact that the gospel notes 5000 men first and then adds on women and children shows the world-view of the time.  Women were not on an equal plane with men. In other situations Jesus himself does challenge gender stereotypical thinking.  We could do a whole reflection on that some time.”  

Jesus said, “They need not go away, you give them something to eat.”   Those who ate were about 5000 men, besides women and children. From Matt 14:13-21.

Pope Francis:  If certain forms of feminism have arisen which we must consider inadequate we must nonetheless see in the women’s movement the working of the Spirit for a clearer recognition of the dignity and rights of women.  AL 54