The male-only priesthood isn’t an exclusive club of cigar-smoking men in black who chuckle at their ability to fool women into believing they can’t join. Rather, it’s an invitation to service – an opportunity for men to “wash the feet” and sacrifice their lives for their beloved Bride, the Church.
This doesn’t make women sighing, whimpering, fragile creatures whose sole role in life is to be catered to by men. Rather, only women can be mothers. Only they can nurture life in such a way that two or more heartbeats can palpitate in their bodies at the same time. Only a mother can give birth to a priest. One can say that without women there would be no priests.
It’s all a matter of seeing the beauty of God’s plan – the unity that can occur because of the diversity in creation. Each of us exists as a man or as a woman. Neither is deficient or lesser than the other. But the fact that each is created in God’s image and likeness does not mean that they exist as the same. Rather in the difference they reflect something of God. It is because they are different, yet equal, that they are able to love in a way that can include a total and unique gift of self, resulting in the possibility of new life. And this union points us to the love of God that exists in the Trinity.
From Ma’am, You Should Be a Priest
2 comments:
Someone asked me once, how I would feel if the Catholic church seriously started letting women become priests. I didn't have a ready answer, and said I'd have to think on that one to be sure. But what I was thinking about, was my daughter as an altar server. It's a commitment she doesn't take lightly. It's a commitment she takes every opportunity she can possibly find, to fulfill. She serves most every 11:30 Sunday mass if any of the 3 scheduled does not show up, and although it baffles HER, there is usually a space to fill. And she is THRILLED. She serves with unfathomable reverence for such a young age, and everyone notices. She says she 'feels she is so much closer to Christ up there, being where all of the action is...(in referencing the consecration of the Eucharist.
So when I was asked about women priests, I thought about how girls were once not allowed to be servers, and what a gift my daughter is up there, serving with so my heart.
I haven't changed my mind about that. I'm glad girls are allowed not to be altar servers. But after reading the piece above, I would have to say that I agree, that only men should be priests. So many great points. We all have our roles for the good of His Creation.
I'm not one to like a lot of change from traditional ways anyway. Unless of course it's a change for the good - which of course is always a matter of opinion, and I most ALWAYS have one. Except that one time I had to think about it. : ) So glad to have that settled! Thanks for the help.
Thanks Laura!
The more I learn about God's plan through the complete and truthful teachings of the Catholic Church and why God created things as he did the more it ALL makes sense and fits into place.
My life has become so much more peaceful and centered in the last three years since becoming Catholic. I thank God daily for that gift!
The recurring theme in my life lately is TRUST in God. He knows what he is doing!!
I love that your daughter is so reverent as an altar server! We need much more of that! Maybe she will be called to give her life where all of the action is as a religious sister. That would be a beautiful life with Christ at his altar as well! : )
Dawn
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