Gospel
Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying,“The scribes and the Pharisees
have taken their seat on the chair of Moses.
Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you,
but do not follow their example.
For they preach but they do not practice.
They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry
and lay them on people’s shoulders,
but they will not lift a finger to move them.
All their works are performed to be seen.
They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.
They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues,
greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation ‘Rabbi.’
As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi.’
You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.
Call no one on earth your father;
you have but one Father in heaven.
Do not be called ‘Master’;
you have but one master, the Christ.
The greatest among you must be your servant.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;
but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
I'm reading a book right now called The Flip Side of Feminism...My husband had heard about it last week on the radio coming home from work on the day I was so upset by my neighbors request. In it the authors engage in a discussion about how women have always had power, though not necessarily in the public sphere...They claim that the feminism that pervades today convinces women that in order to be important, or to use their gifts, they must go out and make money and get noticed in. I haven't done a great job of summarizing the book here, but it is very interesting, and, I think, true in a lot of ways...
Today's scripture has the same theme..."the greatest among you must be your servant." As a mother, we are constantly serving our husbands, our children, and our community. Through this amazing vocation we have an enormous amount of power to shape our communities, guide our children, and support our husbands to represent the family outside of the Home in a positive light. I'm not afraid to admit that it makes me happy to serve my Family. My service comes out of Love, and Love is extremely powerful. Smart women know this.
Like every high powered job, the hours are long, the work is rigorous, the risk is high, but the reward is great:)
Jesus, thank you for my vocation, help me to serve my children, my husband, and my community in ways that bring them closer to you. Amen
While I love the fact that women can have successful careers outside the home, and are treated more equally than ever before in that sphere...I think it's terribly sad that our society no longer values the role of stay-at-home mother and wife! We are laying the foundation for the next generation, literally shaping the future through our children, but unfortunately, success is measured too often by how much money is made and what accolades are earned...rather than on the true quality of work done and life lived. But we know what God values...and it's great that we can support one another in our vocations as moms, and as we strive to be of service!
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