At the Renaissance Faire
In
my rebel days, I had a discussion with my ex-boyfriend about what he wanted in
a wife. He immediately quoted Ephesians,
“wives be submissive to your own husband...”
Instantaneously my entire body cringed and I knew that our relationship
was doomed because he wanted a woman he could rule over. I couldn’t get past the word “submissive” which
translated to becoming a slave and rendering my power to my spouse. His dated patriarchal mentality offended the
feminist growing in me… Recently in
Catholic circles the topic of women ordination has gathered a lot of momentum
and I noticed that because the church has denied women that honor there has
been a lot of misunderstanding surrounding the role of women within the
Catholic Church. Some have gone as far
as to think that God doesn’t value or love women with the same depth He does
men. Like the former me, people fail to
see the entirety and goodness of God's plans for gender roles.
We found Jesus!
From
the story of creation and throughout the entire Bible, we come to see God as a God of
order. When He created Eve He did so to
provide a companion for man and to bring happiness to both. As we travel forward in time many women play
important roles in preparing the way for Jesus and when Jesus takes center
stage He shows us the special place women have in the faith. During His ministry He does preach about women being submissive to their husbands,
but that statement continues to husbands
love your wives as Christ also love the church. Jesus loved us so much that He died on the
cross and that’s what He is telling men they must be prepared to do for their
wives. He gives clear and definitive instruction
to both male and female. Yet, He does
make the man the leader, but only because within a family unit there must be
one person that takes the lead for the sake and progression of the
relationship. Just think of that romantic,
indecisive date you have been on where he asks you, “were do you want to go eat”
and you answer “I don’t know where do you want to go.” This exchange continues back-and-forth until
one of you taking the lead decides where the two of you will be having dinner. Decisions must be made, leaders must exist and
He gave man that role, yet throughout history men have violated that right.
Great shows!
Today, submissiveness has a negative even antiquated
connotation because of the past violations against women, but God intended it
to be beautiful. He says that the husband is the head of the wife, but
God gives clear indications of how the husband must love his spouse. The husband’s role is equally challenging for
he must love his wife as he loves himself working towards her betterment and her sanctification. The husband
must follow Christ and be like Christ in the marriage. When both men and women follow the well-established
plans of God, submissiveness comes naturally out of love and respect for our beloved (smile).
My girls!
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