A Thank You and a Renewed Bleg

Firstly, I offer a big THANK YOU to those of you who have assisted with Fire's Vet bills, and Fire thanks you, too. Actually, if you met him, he'd just walk up to you and demand to be petted because that's what he lives for. :-) He's just maintaining right now, his attitude is fine, he's interested in chasing squirrels and bunnies, an very frustrated with me for not allowing him to do so. He still can't go for real walks and I don't know if he ever will again...I don't really know what to expect. I will continue to provide updates. Please look here if you are interested in helping with Fire's Vet Bills.

Next on the list...

Grad School - Institute for Pastoral Theology. The deadline for registration is August 10, only a few weeks away. To date, I'm not even close to having the money, although, at $2,000 per semester for Grad credits, well, that's not bad. It absolutely kills me to see that this really is affordable and I can't pay for it. Such is life. When I was awarded the Merit scholarship, I was told to ask others for assistance to cover the remainder of what I cannot afford. I was also told to contact the program director if the money still wasn't there so that he could see if there was anything he could do. And of course, he instructed me not to wait until the last moment!

So tonight I sent him an email advising of my situation and inquiring about my options. I assured him I am not withdrawing or giving up - not when there's still time for God to act.

I am also renewing my request to any of you who may be willing or able to help to contribute to this fund. I hate blegging, but again, several people have suggested I do so, including the IPT Director (not blegging specifically...more like begging in general! lol!)

So if you do wish to assist with this, click here.

Thank you for anything you can do...including simply offering prayers!

This N' That

Been busy lately, lots going on, and OLPH is no small part of it.

No, I don't have a new job, but I do have a new ally in the job hunt, a wonderful local priest who has connections EVERYWHERE. He now has a copy of my resume (which he thought impressive - I wish all the employers who have seen it agreed with him... *sigh *), and he is forwarding it on to other powers that be in hopes that this hook might snag a catch. He agrees with me...I HAVE to get out of where I am. God bless this man! Abundantly!

There may also be help coming for school, but I don't know for certain. The good thing is that people who know me seem to think that my going to Ave Maria for an MTS is a good thing, and you know who benefits from my studies? The Church. If I don't put the knowledge I will gain to use, then it is a loss. The program is designed to place those who partake into God's service. The secular world has no use for it.

And so I go, God willing. Or, in Spanish, "O'jala".

(Actually, that Spanish word has Moorish influence - it comes from the Arabic, "God willing". In Arabic, God is "Allah."

And that's your language lesson for today...you didn't know I'd provide that for you, did you? And it's a twofer...Spanish and Arabic.

Speaking of school, I received an envelope from Ave Maria today, and I began to panic, thinking they are calling in the accounting already! But it's a thin envelope, if a large sized one, so I opened it and found my birthday gift: my official grade for my first official Graduate Theology credit!

I'm a 4.0!

Yeah, I know, that's not a surprise, I did well on my papers and you all know it, but it's different seeing the formal final grade in print, with the GPA right there, 4.0. The last time I had a 4.0 for the semester, it was from my Mexico semester, and just after I got that Grade, I was contacted by the Dean of Academic Affairs at my college as he wanted to give me the news that I was being nominated into a Social Sciences Honor Society - for my well-rounded and promising academic acheivements. I accepted, I have the pin and the certificate to prove my membership, but as it's never been of any benefit to me, it's not on my resume. Maybe if I put it there someone would hire me. Hmmm...Greek words with academic honors, years and years out of school....let's hire this girl and find out why she still hasn't figured her life out when she had such a promising written history!

Right.

So I have a 4.0. A 1 credit class. Somehow, I don't think I can live up to that GPA if I do take 5 cedits next semester, but hey, if God provides the money, I'll provide the effort, and if I fall short of an A but still do decently, God will still be glorified. The good thing is that God doesn't expect us to be anything but human, and where we think we're failing, He's still succeeding.

How's that for a paradox on a Tuesday?

I can't believe people are reading this drivel.

Sorry, all, I'm actually just working off some nerves. I'm giving a talk tonight on my occult affairs. I'll mostly be speaking of experience, will provide some definitions and Church teaching (to include the CCC) to start it off, and then I'm going to tell my story, including some that hasn't appeared on my blog. I don't know who will be there, if anyone, but these things are always fun. It's my first time as a speaker, and those who were there last month, most of them, anyway, expressed interest in the topic.

I'll do my best, but I may not be able to answer some of their questions. I may be able to point them towards resources that will answer them, however.

And in all these things, all of the above, all of what I am about to do...may God and God alone be glorified. I am only His servant, and usually not a very good one.

One thing I learned during Lent and the lesson keeps coming....there's a long ways between me and the title of "Saint". We are all called...but the road is narrow and the gate is pretty rusty.

UPDATE: I just got back; the talk went well, no one threw things at me, and the service was great at the restaurant! Theology of Tap is really a great program. In my neck of the woods we tend to have a lot of knowledgable Catholics who attend, a lot of people who are asking the right questions and trying to understand their faith, or have the knowledge already and just love to be with people who share their faith. We are a small group, but people are wandering in from other locales as well as our own, which is great. No topic is chosen yet for next month, it might be a "Grill the New Priest" session.

Worst. Translation. Ever.

I came across this website the other day when doing a simple search for the latin lyrics to the Ave Maria. This site actually claims that the words below are the "Original Latin" and the "English Translation", as noted. Click the link to go to the cited web page.

The Ave Maria, in Latin:

Original Latin:

Ave Maria
Gratia plena
Maria, gratia plena
Maria, gratia plena
Ave, ave dominus
Dominus tecum
Benedicta tu in mulieribus
Et benedictus
Et benedictus fructus ventris
Ventris tuae, Jesus

Ave Maria, gratia plena
Maria, gratia plena
Maria, gratia plena
Ave, ave dominus
Dominus tecum Ave Maria, gratia plena
Maria, gratia plena
Maria, gratia plena
Ave, ave dominus
Dominus tecum

Ave Maria
Mater Dei
Ora pro nobis peccatoribus
Ora pro nobis
Ora, ora pro nobis peccatoribus
Nunc et in hora mortis
Et in hora mortis nostrae
Et in hora mortis nostrae
Et in hora mortis nostrae
Ave Maria


English Translation:

Ave Maria Ave Maria! Maiden mild
Oh! listen to a maiden's pray'r
For thou canst hear 'em in the wild
'Tis Thou, 'Tis thou canst save amid despair
We slumber safely 'till the 'morrow
Though we by men outcast, revil'd
O Maiden, see a maiden's sorrow
Oh Mother, hear a suppliant child!
Ave Maria...


The murky cavern's air so heavy
Shall breathe of balm if Thou hast smil'd
Oh Maiden, hear a maiden pleading
Oh Mother, hear a suppliant child!
Ave Maria...
Ave Maria...

News and Theology

OK, first of all, the news part. There isn't any. I haven't heard anything so that means that I'll either get a letter in the mail stating, "Thanks but No Thanks", they weren't able to finish their first round of interviews yet, or they are sorting through the candidates and have yet to call for the second interview. All in God's time.

Moving on to the Theology part:

From today's Gospel reading:

John 14:27-31a (Last verses)

"I will no longer speak much with you, for the ruler of the world is coming. he has no power over me, but the world must know that I love the Father and that I do just as the Father has commanded me."

This class definitely has me making connections in scripture. I just shot off a note to my professor because today's Gospel seems to demonstrate a very profound link between the Trinity, the divine and human dimensions of Jesus in relation to the Father in expiation for sin (ie perfect obedience), the dignity of humanity in the image and likeness of God, and the similarity in how Jesus responds to the Father's commands as a demonstration and lesson to us all. And I say this because he shows us by example how we must respond to His commands within, that being the conscience, which is the Holy Spirit convincing us of sin in relation to the definitive judgment that already took place (Satan), and pointing us to the all-good, which is God.

Whew! Did you get all that?! I'm not sure I did, and it's not how I phrased it in the question posed to my professor. It's one thing to summarize it lightly here, another entirely to send a question to my professor knowing what he knows, his knowing what he has taught us, and then to be specific enough without laying the foundational theology it would be necessary to explain if I were to write a solid post on this idea.

Perhaps I'll expand on this idea if the prof. can confirm my imperfect understanding. I do NOT want to spend a bunch of time on a post only to find out I've just opened up a can of Gnostic on myself.

The Shadow and the Glory of the Cross

I have been limping this road to Calvary for a very long time, even before I knew that this was the road I travelled. And today, even as I saw the Glory, I felt the cold shadow of the Cross fall upon me.

I had my interview for AMU's Institute for Pastoral Theology this afternoon. The interview was set yesterday, but unbeknownst to me, I had been scheduled to attend a "web conference" at the very same time. As I told my co-workers, "too bad, I'm busy", my phone rang at 1:00 on the dot: because Professor Bushman is, as he says, "very German."

The interview went well, and as he's already had me in his class and thus is familiar with my work as well as some interaction during class, our conversation was helped along. It was the most interesting interview I've ever had and it was the most productive lunch hour I've ever spent!

And at the end of it, he officially welcomed me to the IPT program as an MTS (Masters in Theological Studies) grad student.

The financial discussion was part of it: IPT offers a 1/3 scholarship for those who take the full course load of 6 credits. I explained my current situation, planning to leave my job, unknown what this new one might pay IF it is meant for me, etc, and the fact that even if I were in my same position, I would struggle to cover the costs. So the scholarship is awarded, first under merit by virtue of my first papers as well as application/interview impression, and secondly, financial need. I am to let him know if circumstances change. Agreed.

The finances have always been in question, and long ago I entrusted this to Our Lady of Perpetual Help. I will not falter now. Now that I'm accepted formally, I'm one step closer, and the next step has yet to be discerned. All money belongs to God, so if He wills this for me on behalf of his Kingdom, then it will be done.

I had referred to the shadow of the Cross, and just after this interview and the subsequent joy, the shadow fell over me. It has always been there, but it is the nature of shadows that we pass through them (or do they pass through us?).

First it was about some file reviews for work. I have been struggling for a long time and I took sudden vacation in March to deal with the burnout that nearly made me literally walk off the job. I have a good Manager, he and my direct Supervisor knew I was burned out, and they have done what they can to help. But I am struggling and even though I am working myself to death, I can't seem to meet the numbers. Not in any category. My most recent Personnnel Evaluation was disastrous. I was once one of the top performers, even broke a record...and now I have fallen so low!

And even though I desperately want to quit this job, and even though I think being fired would be merciful, that pride within me struggles for I have put nearly 5 years into this company, I have lost nearly 5 years of my life working in this position, and it is physically painful to think of walking out in shame rather than triumph. But I have to wonder if that very humiliation is what is being asked of me?

During Holy Week, especially on Holy Thursday, a prayer that continued to come to me until I prayed it over and over was "Let me be crucified with you. Let me die with you." I didn't want to pray that prayer, but I had to obey.

That prayer is being answered, and the shadow of it is chilling to the bone.

Just after my interview, I brought the requested files into my superiors, and only about 20 minutes later, I was called into a closed door meeting. I knew without a doubt the judgment to which I was walking.

En route, I came across a mother and her son, and had to go around them. I cannot help but be struck by their presence in my path.

I entered, and was bidden to close the door and be seated. My Manager before me across the desk, my supervisor to my right, I got "the lecture." This is the talk given to all those who are sliding and can't seem to get up. This is supposed to be redeeming, but, in reality, when most of us get to this point, it's actually a sign of things to come.

Indeed.

As my Manager spoke, I nodded, held back the tears, the agony, the humiliation, and reminded myself to keep my eyes on the Cross. I refused to let go of the Joy of my recent news, and the Hope of another job; I listened, nodded, responded, and endured. This is happening by God's will.

My Manager went into a spiel about how this is not personal, he and they all really like me, want me to stay, he sees me as the "spark plug" that usually keeps everyone going and they recognize that I'm at a very low point. I was actually shocked that, even though since my vacation my demeanor has been much better, apparently my burnout is still all too apparent, especially to those whose job it is to review my work.

They know I'm working hard. They know that I'm not consciously throwing my career away. They know I'm struggling and they know it's out of character for me.

My Manager reiterated that he will write me references, no matter how many hoops he has to jump through to get it approved through HR.

Of course, at this point, now I'm crying, and that kills me because I have always been an emotionally-driven person but keep it, especially tears, under wraps when in a professional environment. The only other time I have cried at work was when I learned of my Grandmother's death. I have to tell him to stop because he's making me cry, and I turn it into a joke, saying, "This is what girls do!"

Somehow, though, even in their humiliation, the tears were freeing. I am who I am, not the robot the company wants me to be.

They gave me examples of others, including themselves, who have hit rock bottom but were brought back and found their niche, and they were trying to encourage me to stay.

They are aware of a possible pending job, they are aware of the direction my life seems to be taking, and they are happy for me...but they still have to do their job, which involves an impending disciplinary action, based on performance, which will eventually lead to termination.

I told them very candidly that I am leaving, no matter how they try to make the job "better." I explained that I am trying to move on to something I'm truly good at.

My Manager told me, "You ARE good at this!"

I told him, no, I'm not. I've been trying to overcome my natural weakness for nearly 5 years; this isn't my area. It's never been my area. It's never been my gift..

He told me that if I ever get to the point that I really can't do this anymore, they'll understand, he'll help in any way he can and he wants to see me happy.

I explained that this is what I'm telling him; I CAN'T do this anymore. This job is all about numbers, and structure, and absolutes. It's not that I don't need structure for I do, but numbers...my worst subjects, and for almost 5 years they have ruled my life and the measure of my worthiness in my employment. And it's a losing battle. I can't overcome this weakness. I have given all I can, and I can't do it any more. I'm worn out. It's not who I was designed to be.

I have to go. It's time.

I gave him the time frame for the position for which I'm interviewing, but said that whether I get the job or not, I'm leaving. I will give notice, but I won't be staying. They agree that I'm not a slacker, he told me that he thinks I have a lot more character than that, and we discussed the remedial consequences of my present failings that I will be addressing with them in the next few weeks.

These are the dreaded "short-term objectives."

I have met Pilate...and I have been passed to Herod.

How will Herod judge me?

I know that God is opening doors before me, even as this one is slamming shut. He is calling me to something else, and I know that what is happening now MUST happen because there is no other choice. I know that ultimately there is glory in this, but I am having a very difficult time in seeing it, and so I am trying to walk in absolute trust.

Yes, there is hope with the potential new job, but is that my place? Is that where I'm being sent and for what God has been preparing me? Or is the interview only a stepping stone and is my current crisis a valley of death through which I must pass before I meet even a bigger Cross with a different type of Glory?

I knew this was coming, for with great consolations come great trials, and this trial is very real, very dark, very ominous, and very final. I've seen this place before, but this is the first time I've seen it through eyes unified with those of Jesus.

I flee to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, because, like Jesus, I have seen the shadow of the Cross and the suffering it entails, and I must go somewhere for comfort and for assistance. She knows of this Cross and where it leads, and even knowing the ultimate Glory, she is united in her own maternal suffering. So I flee to her, and I beg for her intercession and assistance.

The shadow of the Cross is so cold...but without passing through this, there will be no resurrection and no revelation.

Our Lady of Perpeutal Help, pray for me!

Oh, dear...

I don't know how it happened, but apparently the Holy Father got a look at my most recent paper. I didn't realize he had to review our work. Do you see it? There it is, right in his hand, double spaced, margins 1 inch from the top, bottom, and sides. All to spec. And he's holding it up as an example.

Oh, dear.

What he's really saying, is, "Where did she get THAT out of Salvifici Doloris?

Holy Father, I'll try to do better next time.

In all seriousness, I actually have good news, and thanks to those of you who have been praying for me. I got a 96 on our first assignment, and a 92 on my paper on Suffering and Redemption. I'm pleased. An "A" and an "A-" in my first real theology class, grad level especially? YEAH!

But it didn't come without a price.

And this is where I begin my pontifications. Are you really surprised?

This class has been absolutely a Godsend. The classroom sessions have been quite illuminating, the reading has continued the illumination, and I wish I had obtained this knowledge long ago. I wish everyone could be a part of this.

The program boasts of personal formation as a part of the program, and I actually figured that to be somewhat of a "selling" point, and so it is, but I can verify the truth of the statement; I did not realize the true formative capacity of these teachings.

They do not necessarily come from the professor, although Professor Douglas Bushman was stellar in his instruction. The formative capacity does not come entirely from the writings of John Paul II, although I had several moments of complete understanding thanks to him.

The formation comes from the Holy Spirit, resulting from the classroom instruction, the material, AND the openness of the subject to the workings of the Holy Spirit himself.

I can see how someone could attend the classes, learn some things, read some stuff, and answer the questions, making the entire process boring and mechanical, and thus be unaffected. We have to be open to the Holy Spirit.

I have actually found that the Holy Spirit was better able to reach me through these lessons by virtue of my own fiat in attending the class. I did not know what to expect, I do not have an undergrad theology degree, and my only hope was that I was not in over my head. Not only did God answer, but God SURROUNDED me in this endeavor and he has changed me forever through the knowledge obtained. In other words, God reached me through my weakness and brought out the strength which I can only attest to Him, not to me.

I highly recommend this program at Ave Maria University. For those who are "local" (Minneapolis, MN, Green Bay, WI), you still have time to apply for next semester. Please consider doing so. Everything is due by May 15.

Learn more by visiting the website for AMU's Institute for Pastoral Theology.

Announcements and Updates

Well, I have completed my discernment with regard to the IPT program at Ave Maria - sorta.

Just to recap; I am currently taking a 1 credit course as a "Special Student"; that is, taking it for credit as opposed to as an audit course, with the intention of applying this credit to my future studies. I had to pay a $50.00 application fee when I applied for this course, and submit a transcript from my undergrad. Anyway, I've been waffling on this issue; should I go on? Can I go on? Do I want to take the full 6 credits offered if I am accepted? What about the torture I'm experiencing now just with writing a PAPER!? What about all the OTHER papers for 6 credits I'll have to complete? Will I have time to do anything else? Will my work at my parish suffer? Do I have to eliminate a few things? And how in the WORLD am I going to pay for this?????????

So it goes, but I've realized a few things: I love what I'm learning, even though I'm having to suffer in intellectual agony in order to learn it and produce results. Further, what I'm learning will benefit others if I am able to present it coherently, which I've already done with RCIA presentations. (You'll have to ask THEM if it was really coherent, though....).

I won't say it's all roses, though. Ave Maria's IPT program is solid and faithful, but there's been some negativity in the upper echelons at the Naples campus which is a bit concerning. Ave Maria is not accredited; that's a concern. Not only does it mean that I can't apply for financial aid as I am engaged in an off-campus program, but it could mean future credibility issues with the degree earned. Yet all colleges have to go through growing pangs; I pray Ave Maria survives theirs.

I realized that I can think of more reasons NOT to do this, from a practical standpoint, but I cannot deny what I have already learned and the very element of formation I've never experienced before. I have come to understand that this is all about trust in God and His Providence. This is entirely in His hands. I have to do the footwork, but if it is to be, He will come up with the funds, He will come up with the time, and He will help me persevere. If it is not God's will, this simply won't work out no matter what I do.

There's yet another factor; the very risk, the precariousness of a new school. What if Ave Maria becomes defunct? I'll be left with a partial education and no degree, yet with significant expense. While that seems to be a horrible dilemma, I am seeing it as a way for me to become smaller, for God can take what seems like a disaster and bring about a greater good.

I realized that it's time to trust and just move forward with this decision; apply and let the chips fall where they may. If I don't turn in my application, I will quite literally spend the rest of my life considering what might have happened, and I already have a long list of "what-might-haves", and I simply have no desire to add to it.

Besides, I already paid the $50.00 non-refundable application fee. I might as well make them review my qualifications since they've been paid to do so!

There are no guarantees in life. Those things worth doing are worth suffering for; we can't run away from it. Every action we take has a subsequent reaction somewhere else, whether immediate or delayed. So I'm taking this risk.

I hope to send everything out by early next week if I can get the small details worked out. My references have the recommendation forms, and I may be able to turn in my initial assignment (which received a good grade) in lieu of a paper. Otherwise I'll later submit the paper I'm currently writing for the April 15 deadline.

Please pray with me that God's will be done in this.

You have no idea how scary this is.

The Bible is Patriarchal and Oppressive to Women

"The Bible and Christianity are Patriarchal, demeaning, and oppressive to women. Christianity is intolerant to women and thus women should revolt against this ideology."

How many of us have heard the above claims? How many of us have looked to scripture to read it for ourselves, and have been outraged by, for example, the directives of the apostle Paul when he stated that women must be quiet and are not allowed to teach?

How accurate are these claims?

Let us look to the Bible itself for the answers.

If we look at historical fact, throughout the Bible, men were the heads of families and were the leaders. Abraham, Moses, David, Solomon, Joseph. Thus, it stands to reason and historical fact that the Bible is indeed patriarchal. But does this necessarily mean that women are oppressed and demeaned?

Let us look to Genesis 1:26-27

"Then God said 'Let us make man in our image, after our likemess, and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air..'

"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them"

Notice the references here and the wording: God created not just MAN, but MAN AND WOMAN in HIS image; He created a MARRIED COUPLE to reflect God. This is the Divine Institution not only of the life of humankind, but of marriage, and women was included in this Divine plan. It was not Adam alone, but Eve who made up God's image, and thus, women are a part of this creation story, not demeaned but fully equal in the benefits provided by God. Arguing the idea that the male gender was created first is like twins arguing about who is greater due to which emerged first from the womb. They were created equally and with the intention of reflecting God's image in their own union, man and wife.

Genesis 2 discusses Eve's role as "helper", but what does this mean? Does this mean that woman is designed to be only a servant?

If we look to the rest of the Bible and the use of the word "helper" we see that this word has a deeper meaning and should not be taken at face value. Remember that society and culture changes the meanings of words to fit their culture and thus the original meaning may be lost. This is why the full context of the Bible and the history surrounding the Bible must be called upon in order to understand these words which we incorrectly take for granted.

Throughout the Old Testament, God himself is referred to as "helper". Only page through the Psalms to see this reference over and over again. If we, then decide that in Genesis that "helper" is demeaning and signifies that Eve is submissive to Adam in value, then do we then change the interpretation of "helper" in the Psalms and other books and interpret that God is also submissive to Adam?

How ridiculous an idea!

The reality is that we need to consider this context and realize that the denotion "helper" or "helpmate" refers to the fulfillment of divine orchestration; women are not submissive, but are even more like God than is Adam for we are compared to God in our very design...as "helper" to the "Adams" in our lives.

Let us move forward to the Fall.

Notice that the serpent, Satan, went to Eve, not to Adam. Did Eve ever confer with Adam when the serpent suggested she partake of the forbidden fruit, as would a submissive partner? No, she makes the decision on her own, and in fact, she ATTEMPTS TO RESIST the persuasiveness of the serpent. When she does partake of the fruit, and then offers it to Adam, does he resist?

NO! Adam does whatever Eve tells him to do, and he does not resist. He does not reiterate what God directly told him, and what he then related to Eve...he simply obeys Eve and partakes of the fruit he knows is forbidden.

Later, when God confronts Adam, Adam acts like a typical male as we know them today, and he blames Eve. He takes no responsibility and in fact, we realize that he DID NOT EVEN BOTHER TO RESIST when he KNEW the act of eating the fruit was wrong! ADAM was given the command not to eat the fruit first, not Eve, and yet he does not resist when she offers it to him!

This actions displays the chasm created by the fall; that sin seperates relationships not only from God, but from each other.

How, exactly, is this reality oppressive to women?

Does it not show the power women have OVER men? Do you realize why the serpent went to Eve? Because he recognized Eve's role in God's Divine plan...and that if he got to her, he automatically had Adam.

For a more contemporary reference, look to "My Big, Fat, Greek Wedding."

In that movie, Tula wants to go to school but her pleas are met with resistance and a chauvenistic attitude on the part of her father. But Tula's mother stepped in and she hugged Tula, comforting her, explaining she understood. She told the young woman, "The Man? He is the head. But the woman...she is the neck. And she can turn the head any way she wants."

I'm certain that this movie did not set out to reveal to modern audiences the true role of Woman in God's Divine plan, but just the same, this line sets it up pretty well. Men may be the heads of households, and they may be the leaders...but have you not heard it said that behind every man is a good woman? Without us, men would be nothing but so much dust.

Unfortunately, that means we hold the higher responsibility...as we have the "greater" role in God's divine plan, we also must be cognizant of our authority and our power, and use it wisely. I do not mean to say that God created women as a higher order to men, but rather, within the context of our own specific role in salvation history. That's actually a topic for another post.

If we skip forward to the New Testament, the Wedding at Caana, we see Mary's role even more clearly. Remember how she asks Jesus to do something when the wine runs out. Jesus says to her, "Woman, what have you to do with me? My hour is not yet come."

And like a good Jewish mother [tongue in cheek here], she ignores him and tells the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."

Jesus, the humble and obedient son he is, submits to his mother and he orders the servants to bring him the water, which he subesquently changes into wine.

Clearly, Mary knew who Jesus was (as though she was informed by an angel that she would carry the Messiah!), and as a good mother, and a good woman in fulfillment of God's plan for her role, she pushed Jesus into his ministry. He protested...and she pushed. Good mothers push. Men, take note.

Because of Mary's influence, Jesus performed his first miracle. Look at how this mirrors and reverses the actions of Eve:



* Eve was approached by and seduced by the serpent to FALL from grace; she was the catalyst and the beginning of sin. She had free will, and she gave in to sin rather than obedience to God. She gave in to pleasure and pride.

* Mary was approached by and recieved the message of an angel of God to RECIEVE the grace of bringing the messiah into the world; that is, the cure for sin. She had free will, and she accepted with her fiat in obedience to God. She offered her own suffering in humility and love.

Now, I realize there is a great deal more to the story of the Wedding at Caana...after all, it is one of the two pillars upon which the Gospel of John rests! As that is not my current topic, I will not go into further detail within the context of women in the Church but you may find more on this post which focuses specifically on John 2:1-11.

Moving on, we look at Jesus Christ's Passion. All of the apostles, all of them male, (all but one, John,) fled when Jesus was persecuted. They could not watch. They feared for their lives, and although they had promised fidelity, they fled. So much for the strong, brave patriarchy of the Bible!

I'm afraid that the "Bible" displayed nothing but the nature of men...a bunch of cowards who ran away when the chips were down! I do not mean to demean men at all and I fear by that statement that I have ruffled feathers, but consider the Biblical context here in reference to the nature God has given us all, respectively as men and women.

It was the women who remained at the foot of the Cross. It was Jesus's mother, Mary, the other Mary, and Mary Magdalene who remained at the foot of the Cross, with only the Apostle John, the beloved disciple.

And it was Mary Magdalene who went early to the tomb and discovered the greatest event in history...the Resurrection of Jesus. It was not a man..it was a woman.

In that time period, women were not considered to be reliable and they were not allowed to be witnesses in court. Yet Jesus used women as his strongest witnesses, and it was women who were a part of his greatest works.

Jesus directed Mary to bring the apostles to a particular location, so we see that he relied on women to bring the men to him. He relied on the women, to whom he has given a special gift of faith, to bring the men to him to become spiritual leaders.

Men did not do this on their own, and they disbelieved, they questioned, and they ran from the conflict...but the women gathered them and lead them back to Jesus.

Now, one major issue is St. Paul himself:  He really comes across as a big chauvenist pig, doesn't he?! Or...is our interpretation accurate?

In 1 Timothy 2: 11-13, Paul says, "Let a woman learn in silence with al submissiveness. I permit no wman to teach or to have authority over men; she is to keep silent. For Adam was formed first, then Eve, and Adam was not decieved , but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. yet woman will be saved through bearing children. If she continues in faith and love and holiness, with modesty."

It seems that Paul is saying that women should remain silent, barefoot, and pregnant. Is he really?

Consider the historical context: Paul wrote this letter for a specific purpose. In that time period, women were not educated and were not allowed to be educated, yet Paul is stating very clearly that he was allowing women to learn. The rest of the statement is not about domination of women, but is a discussion of proper behavior. The men, long accustomed to education, knew how to behave in a classroom. The women did not and were quite unruly. Who could blame them?

In our culture, we learn early how to behave in a classroom, but if we were deprived of the right to education, would we not be excited at the opportunity and would not our inappropriate reaction be classified as unruliness? Would we not need to be taught proper manners?

This is the case here. Paul is not saying that women cannot learn and cannot teach...he is explaining to them the etiquette of the classroom.

As for the authority...well, it would not be proper in that society for a woman to be publicly teaching with her husband as a student. This would be considered to be scandalous. A woman could teach a man, but she could not appear to have authority over her husband, specifically, in public. Again, this is an instruction in etiquette.

Let us also remember that women are encouraged to be celibate, as are men, for the sake of the kingdom of God. 1 Cornithians 7 disusses marriage and the single life, and this was revolutionary. Women in that time period were considered to be property; first of her father, then of her husband. Yet Christianity changed this; women in Christianity were given options and they learned that they had the right to choose not to marry; not to be property, but rather, to give their lives to God and remain single and celibate.

Let's remove the romance from the idea of history; women did not have a choice in marriage and they did not marry for "love". They married because they were forced to marry. Consider maybe a local businesman or some neighbor...maybe you are 17 or 15, or even 20...and he is 56, fat, hairy and not at all attractive. And in Biblical times, people didn't bathe a lot. Yuck. Yet you have to marry him and become his property. And maybe he has a heavy hand, or maybe he's completely self-absorbed but makes eyes at you every time he sees you. Is your skin crawling yet?

If you lived prior to Christianity, your only option to escape a life with this man would be death...otherwise, be prepared for your marriage bed because he's about to own you.

Christianity changed this...not only did Christianity propose an option to the bloody, sacrificial and self-indulgent idols of the time and give a message of hope and freedom, but it restored the dignity of women and revealed God's plan. The pagans were very disturbed by this...they liked having control, and they liked the idea they could buy the local village virgin for themselves. Women obtained freedom through Jesus and His Word, and they learned they could choose celibacy...and escape from false authority over their bodies and lives.

The next time someone claims that Christianity is patriarchal and that Christianity is demeaning to women, hand them a Bible and explain to them God's Divine plan and the evidence within the text which so clearly refutes their claims. Men and women are co-equal in God's plan of salvation; we each have clearly defined roles, clearly defined natures, and each one of us is called to live out God's plan within this context.

It's not about men versus women...it's about men and women together, reflecting the glory of God for eternity!

EDITOR'S NOTE: The above information was obtained at a talk by Dr. Mary Healy at the Called to Lead Conference in Wayzata, MN, 2006. www.calledtolead.com

I am not a theologian, and I have never had the opportunity to attend a Bible study, so boy howdy, I'm like a kid in a candy store! If there are errors in theology in this post, please help me correct them, even better if you have Biblical references to fit the correct context.

UPDATE: 1-23-2010:  I graduated from Ave Maria University with a Masters in Theological Studies in June, 2010. Guess I'm a theologian now.  ;-)  Having read through this old post, it still stands and perhaps another is forthcoming when I get a round tuit.  ;-)   This remains one of my most statistically popular posts, ever since it was first posted.