A friend used to bug me to join his men’s group. He stopped after I told him the world was a frigging men’s group. He didn’t really get my point. Maybe I’ll join and bring this poem with me. He probably still wouldn’t get it though.
But for now, Merry Christmas and peace to you all.
Wishing you, “Tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future”. -Agnes M. Pahro
Sorry, I was slow on the uptake. Generally speaking, setting white privilege (which I completely acknowledge) aside for a moment, I don’t think women get the better part of the deal regardless of who the men are. The “men’s group” to which I refer is a diverse one, unfortunately.
Why do we think Mary was meek and mild? She agreed to have a child out of wedlock in defiance of her culture. She sang a song of liberation and freedom for the oppressed and unjustly treated. She made a rough journey through to Bethlehem when heavily pregnant while riding on a donkey. Then another journey to Africa(Egypt) with an infant. A rebel mother who gave birth to a rebel son.
Powerful words, but unlikely to cause significant reform in the Roman Catholic Church. Pope Francis is attempting to lead the church into the 21st century, but there are clergy who want the church to remain rooted in chauvinism.
We can hope for change one day.
Thank you for sharing those words.
Hope you, yours, and everyone here on this Substack have a Merry Christmas.
Most all Orthodox Christians would be appalled by this poem. They might even call it blasphemy. The OC maintains that Mary remained a virgin before, during, and after delivering the baby Jesus. She's a tough act to follow for the mortal woman.
Thank you for sharing this powerful poem, Susan. Remembering and giving thanks today for all the women in my life who have preached about the birth of Jesus with honesty, integrity and beauty. Happy Christmas to you and your beloveds.
Almost all of my prayers are to Mary....I wish women were more prevalent in the clergy. I have known many wonderful nuns, thinking especially of Sisters Maureen and Teresa who started the House of Bread many years ago in Hartford that to this day feeds and provides comfort to the impoverished in our capitol city. Merry holidays to all.
I just posted this on FB with a comment along the lines of it being funny that women are treated are second-class citizens yet if not for a WOMAN birthing Jesus, there would probably be no religion. And trust me, from personal experience with Catholicism, the "rules" do not apply to everyone.
Susan, thank you so much for sharing this piece of reality. It makes a beautiful story even more beautiful. Life isn't all "sweetness and light". That which is so meaningful becomes more special when we see it in the light of humanity.
Thank you Susan, for the reminder that Jesus, Mary and Joseph were truly of the people. I will carry this poem, in my heart, as a reminder of God's plan for his people.
A friend used to bug me to join his men’s group. He stopped after I told him the world was a frigging men’s group. He didn’t really get my point. Maybe I’ll join and bring this poem with me. He probably still wouldn’t get it though.
But for now, Merry Christmas and peace to you all.
Wishing you, “Tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future”. -Agnes M. Pahro
That’s a great one. The world is a men’s group.
Uuuh, a “ white men’s group”
Can’t say for sure but likely.
Sorry, I was slow on the uptake. Generally speaking, setting white privilege (which I completely acknowledge) aside for a moment, I don’t think women get the better part of the deal regardless of who the men are. The “men’s group” to which I refer is a diverse one, unfortunately.
Why do we think Mary was meek and mild? She agreed to have a child out of wedlock in defiance of her culture. She sang a song of liberation and freedom for the oppressed and unjustly treated. She made a rough journey through to Bethlehem when heavily pregnant while riding on a donkey. Then another journey to Africa(Egypt) with an infant. A rebel mother who gave birth to a rebel son.
Amen.
Powerful words, but unlikely to cause significant reform in the Roman Catholic Church. Pope Francis is attempting to lead the church into the 21st century, but there are clergy who want the church to remain rooted in chauvinism.
We can hope for change one day.
Thank you for sharing those words.
Hope you, yours, and everyone here on this Substack have a Merry Christmas.
To quote the late Dave Garroway:
"Peace"
Most all Orthodox Christians would be appalled by this poem. They might even call it blasphemy. The OC maintains that Mary remained a virgin before, during, and after delivering the baby Jesus. She's a tough act to follow for the mortal woman.
She’s an impossible act. And as I am a fundamentalist, I have to say I embrace this poem and this Mary.
Peace!
Thank you for sharing this powerful poem, Susan. Remembering and giving thanks today for all the women in my life who have preached about the birth of Jesus with honesty, integrity and beauty. Happy Christmas to you and your beloveds.
And to yours, my friend.
Almost all of my prayers are to Mary....I wish women were more prevalent in the clergy. I have known many wonderful nuns, thinking especially of Sisters Maureen and Teresa who started the House of Bread many years ago in Hartford that to this day feeds and provides comfort to the impoverished in our capitol city. Merry holidays to all.
Merry to you!
Amen.
Merry Christmas to All!
*mic drop*
Amen.
Have ever truly listened to the song “ Let it by the Beatles?
“ When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me, speaking words of wisdom let it be, let it be.
And in my hour of darkness She is standing right in front of me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be, let be…”
The song quotes her response to Gabriel when confronted by the great question.
Will she consent to being the ark of the new Covenant. Let it be, done unto me.
AMEN!!!
Thanks!
I just posted this on FB with a comment along the lines of it being funny that women are treated are second-class citizens yet if not for a WOMAN birthing Jesus, there would probably be no religion. And trust me, from personal experience with Catholicism, the "rules" do not apply to everyone.
Susan, thank you so much for sharing this piece of reality. It makes a beautiful story even more beautiful. Life isn't all "sweetness and light". That which is so meaningful becomes more special when we see it in the light of humanity.
Thank you Susan, for the reminder that Jesus, Mary and Joseph were truly of the people. I will carry this poem, in my heart, as a reminder of God's plan for his people.
No truer words. It is the ones who appear meek that are truely the strongest and wisest.
Merry Christmas to all!