Women and The Church

Many moons ago, when GG and I were on our second date (the one in NYC to visit the Rockefeller Christmas tree), we stopped in Times Square to eat at local burger and cheesecake joint. And what did we talk about, you ask? But of course, women in the front lines of the military. Common second-date conversation. :)

Geoff was against it. I (the closet feminist) was for it. My argument: If a woman could meet a man's physical standards, she deserved to fight right alongside him. Oh how my opinion has changed... Good, old Catholic Church. :)

Our Catholic women's Bible study has been delving into Full of Grace: Women and the Abundant Life by Johnnette S. Benkovic and have been loving what we're learning. What a powerful study (warning--don't pick it up unless you're ready to have your world appropriately rocked! That good!) We've been discussing the *power* of women in their vocation as mother and wife. Yes, that's right--POWER as tender, loving, prayerful mothers and wives. WOW! What a difference from what the world teaches us.

Pope Paul VI and various cardinals addressed this issue in their message To Women following the Second Vatican Council in 1965:
"But the hour is coming, in fact has come, when the vocation of women is being achieved in its fullness, the hour in which woman acquires in the world an influence... Pass onto your sons and daughters the traditions of your fathers at the same time that you prepare them for an unsearchable future. "

So, according to the Church, it is in embracing our femininity and maternal vocation that we truly attain power and influence. [Versus the world's idea of women achieving power by making themselves like and equal to men.]

And it is in our feminine splendor that God set women apart from men: to experience childbearing, to nurture her children, to pray fervently for her family, to serve (often behind the scenes) without expectation of gratitude, to be like the Blessed Mother in her devotion to Christ.

I am so proud to be a woman.
I am so glad not to be on the front lines of the military (even if I can beat any boy in the 2-mile, anytime. ;)
I believe women serve our world best by fulfilling their natural, God-given vocation.

Though you may not agree, thanks for listening and God bless your evening.