'It is the Lord himself who invites us to dee1rcn our appreciation of the role and mission of women' says Cardinal Martini in his introduction to this collection of meditations. The great central Christian attitude of listening to the Word of God and doing it - attentiveness and practicality - is exemplified by Mary the
Mother of Jesus. Or again Mary of Bethany discovers herself, the meaning and dignity of her life, 'seated at the feet of Jesus.'
Women and Reconciliation is an invitation to all, men and women, to contemplate some of the women of the New Testament - Mary the Mother of Jesus, Mary of Bethany and Mary Magdalen. Their attitude as women, their immediacy, their practicality, their joy in the presence of Jesus and in their response to his words are seen as central to all reconciliation, to all community involvement and to all political action in favour of the poor and the marginalised.