The Ultimate Feminist

The Seventh Day of Christmas: The Blessed Virgin, Mary, mother of Our God and Brother, Jesus, is our mother, too.  A car's bumper sticker I saw on the way home today said it all, "No Mary.  No Jesus." How fortunate we are that this very young woman answered, "Be it done unto me according to your word," when asked to be the Mother of the Redeemer.  What trust and raw courage she showed us!

Being a teenage Jewish girl of that time, Mary knew about pregnancy, childbirth, and taking care of children.  She could not have know about all the wrenching heartaches she would suffer as the result of her decision - or about all the tremendous joys she would enjoy.

In the Roman times when Mary lived, females were the 'property' of males.  In 2014, there are still countries in our world where this is legal; women have no rights there.  The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines "feminism" thus: "the theory of the political, economic and social equality of the sexes; organized activity on behalf of women's rights and interests."  I submit to you, that, at the Wedding at Cana, when Mary 'went over Jesus' head' in telling the servant to "Do what he tells you," Mary was the Ultimate, True Feminist.  No ordinary woman of those times would dare to tell the mighty male what to do.  He had countered her comment, "They have no wine," with "What is it to me, woman?"  In other words, Mary knew exactly who Jesus was, the Son of God, and of what he was capable: anything he chose to do.

If the twelve-year-old Jesus told Mary and Joseph, "I must be about my Father's business," when they found him in the Temple after missing him for three days, surely Jesus and Mary discussed his 'mission' during the years prior to the Wedding at Cana. While Jesus appeared to not be interested in helping the wedding host, Mary had compassion and the "chutzpah" to tell Jesus to get on with his 'mission,' to begin now.  Merriam-Webster defines "chutzpah" as "supreme self-confidence."  Mary knew her place then and now: to direct others to Jesus. Today we celebrate the feast of the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God.

FYI: Honoring Mary as our mother does not constitute 'worshiping her!'  We worship God alone; we honor Mary and the Saints and Angels.  Felt I had to mention this.

Happy New Year 2014! One of my New Year Resolutions is promoting this relationship blog.  I need more input from readers so I can learn from your experiences.  I plan on plunging Full Speed Ahead in writing the book on relationships that I feel called to write.  Please see this blog, May 20, 2013: "Why Start a Relationship Blog?"  If you feel this has been valuable to you in any way, please ask others to check it and respond.  Thank you!

In considering our plans and resolutions, "Let us not grow weary in our well-doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not lose heart, so, then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all men."  - Bible, St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians, Chapter 6, verses 9-10.