Monday in the Octave of Easter(Click here for readings)
By KATIE GROSS
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce the news to his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage.
Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”
After reading the Gospels, it would be impossible for one to claim that the Church does not view women as equal to their male brothers. I am consistently astounded by the number of Christians who believe that women still need to be “liberated,” or that the Church is some kind of “oppressively male hierarchy” that wants to keep women down. However, what we must remember is that we have no better model for Christian living than Jesus—this too applies to the treatment of women. In no way is this as true as with today’s Gospel reading, when two women become the first people to discover the risen Lord.
And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go tellmy brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” As reflected in the Gospels, Jesus held a special regard for women which was uncharacteristic of the time and culture. John Paul II knew this better than anyone, and even wrote several encyclicals about the unique role of women in the Gospels.
In MulierisDignitatem (in English, On the Dignity and Vocation of Women), he writes that “in all of Jesus' teaching, as well as in his behavior, one can find nothing which reflects the discrimination against women prevalent in his day. On the contrary, his words and works always express the respect and honor due to women.”He then goes on to provide examples, such as when Jesus called the woman on the stoop a “Daughter of Abraham”—a title usually reserved to “Sons of Abraham,” or men. This special regard for women was not just a show or a political move, but instead a reflection of Jesus’ deep respect for them. Even while Jesus carried the cross, he still addressed the gathered women as “Daughters of Jerusalem,” consoling them while they wept. As this shows, Jesus did not limit women, but instead elevated them and showed them their true dignity in the eyes of God.
But first, we must ask: what is this liberation that some are seeking? I would venture to say that it is a mix of independence, confidence, and freedom. The culture tells us women that these things come from being wild and disregarding every “old-fashioned” norm of behavior. However, the Gospels make it clear that independence, confidence, and freedom for women come from Christ alone-- confidence in who they are in Christ’s eyes, and independence and freedom from sin. Pope John Paul II wrote the following passage about the Woman at the Well in his book The Way to Christ:
In MulierisDignitatem (in English, On the Dignity and Vocation of Women), he writes that “in all of Jesus' teaching, as well as in his behavior, one can find nothing which reflects the discrimination against women prevalent in his day. On the contrary, his words and works always express the respect and honor due to women.”He then goes on to provide examples, such as when Jesus called the woman on the stoop a “Daughter of Abraham”—a title usually reserved to “Sons of Abraham,” or men. This special regard for women was not just a show or a political move, but instead a reflection of Jesus’ deep respect for them. Even while Jesus carried the cross, he still addressed the gathered women as “Daughters of Jerusalem,” consoling them while they wept. As this shows, Jesus did not limit women, but instead elevated them and showed them their true dignity in the eyes of God.
But first, we must ask: what is this liberation that some are seeking? I would venture to say that it is a mix of independence, confidence, and freedom. The culture tells us women that these things come from being wild and disregarding every “old-fashioned” norm of behavior. However, the Gospels make it clear that independence, confidence, and freedom for women come from Christ alone-- confidence in who they are in Christ’s eyes, and independence and freedom from sin. Pope John Paul II wrote the following passage about the Woman at the Well in his book The Way to Christ:
“There must have been something in this conversation which did not humiliate or mortify her, crushing her, but relieved her… in every Gospel episode involving meetings with women, they find their independence at Christ’s side… There are no slaves at Christ’s side. The public sinner becomes a promised bride, a sister.”
“There must have been something in this conversation which did not humiliate or mortify her, crushing her, but relieved her… in every Gospel episode involving meetings with women, they find their independence at Christ’s side… There are no slaves at Christ’s side. The public sinner becomes a promised bride, a sister.”
The chief priests assembled with the elders and took counsel; then they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, telling them, “You are to say,‘ His disciples came by night and stole him while we were asleep.’ Still, even when the truth is evident, many are too stubborn, proud, or self-interested to proclaim it. This is not just true for the issue of women’s role in the Church, but for every issue that the Church chooses to stand up for. However, St. Augustine once said, “The truth is like a lion. You don't have to defend it. Let it loose. It will defend itself.” If Christians continue to defend their beliefs even when they are unpopular, it will not take long for others to notice the joy that comes from living in the way Christ taught.
"After reading the Gospels, it would be impossible for one to claim that the Church does not view women as equal to their male brothers."
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine why.
“I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent.” 1 Timothy 2:12
"Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law." 1 Co 14:34
What is the difference whether it is in a wife or a mother, it is still Eve the temptress that we must beware of in any woman… I fail to see what use woman can be to man, if one excludes the function of bearing children. –Saint Augustine
Woman does not possess the image of God in herself but only when taken together with the male who is her head, so that the whole substance is one image. But when she is assigned the role as helpmate, a function that pertains to her alone, then she is not the image of God. But as far as the man is concerned, he is by himself alone the image of God just as fully and completely as when he and the woman are joined together into one. –Saint Augustine
For it is improper for a woman to speak in an assembly, no matter what she says,
even if she says admirable things, or even saintly things, that is of little
consequence, since they come from the mouth of a woman. –Origen
Woman is a temple built over a sewer. –Tertullian
Woman is a misbegotten man and has a faulty and defective nature in comparison to his. Therefore she is unsure in herself. What she cannot get, she seeks to obtain through lying and diabolical deceptions. And so, to put it briefly, one must be on one’s guard with every woman, as if she were a poisonous snake and the horned devil. … Thus in evil and perverse doings woman is cleverer, that is, slyer, than man. Her feelings drive woman toward every evil, just as reason impels man toward all good. –Saint Albertus Magnus
"After reading the Gospels, it would be impossible for one to claim that the Church does not view women as equal to their male brothers."
DeleteI can't imagine why...
Oh no...you can. And it's called bias reporting or a "half brain response."
Note: Kate mentions the Gospels. You start your argument with a letter. And then move on with quotes taken from Saints.
Regardless, your myths are as old as the fairy tales my grandmother used to tell me!
St. Paul was in no way against women. In fact, he wrote what is considered one of the most gender equality statements: "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
Wow!
Hence, your interpretation of 1Tim 2:12 is based on ignorance, not knowledge. "I permit no woman to teach" is not an absolute prohibition but a response to women teaching that are not ordained clergy (1Cor 14:34-35). If this were a complete prohibition, then the Lord was the first to break it when he commanded Mary Magdalene to be “not be afraid.
Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”
Now when it comes to Tertullian, Origen and St. Albertus Magnus, their words on women are a reflection of the great (maybe even the greatest) Greek philosopher and the father of western civilization: Aristotle. If you don't believe me, then check out the following website: http://gem.greenwood.com/wse/wsePrint.jsp?id=id49
They did not think that women were built over a sewer. On the contrary, they thought they were created in the image and likeness of God. SO much for your nonsense.
Let's make it clearer: The Church began declaring women holy and saints long before the world respected them and allowed them to vote and be elected to positions of authority.
Ignorance is bliss. Knowledge leads to Christ and the Church.
"After reading the Gospels, it would be impossible for one to claim that the Church does not view women as equal to their male brothers."
She's right. It's impossible, unless your completely biased - that is, anti-Christian or atheist.
Wow! I can't believe our first commentator actually believes the Church denigrates women. As a Catholic woman, I find that incredulous. To the best of my knowledge, the greatest human being, the only person conceieved without sin, was none other than a woman!
DeleteHere here, 2nd anonymous! I'm glad someone called out the quotations used out of context.
ReplyDeleteI have nothing to add except to say that if anyone has doubts about Christianity's beneficial on the role of women, they should learn about that status of women in every non-Christian culture, both ancient and modern. China's now having a woman-shortage because the parents abort female babies, and Muslim world largely treats women as sub-human.
Christ indeed has a special regard for women as he does for men, assigning roles respective to both their natures. Eliminating these roles, and the faith that undergirded them, has wrecked severe havoc on the family and the general wellbeing of men and women.