I have learnt several things from the writings of Raji Johnson(Raji chechi)
in
the past. This time too her thoughts have taught me.
This message is to be seen as a reaction to the male domination in several
aspects of the society we see today (and in the past). In that regards, the
point in the message is well taken. There are several areas where our church
needs to be catalysts for change and these messages have a unique significance
in those areas.
However, we should not miss the point of the Sunday reading. "Where there is
male domination, feminism has its relevance; however where both males and
females understand their complementary, yet unique (note: may not be equal)
roles, feminism becomes out of place", I heard this recently and I see value in
that statement.
It will be sad if the great submission and obedience of Mother Mary is seen in
the context of a male\female tussle. The incident has a much bigger message to
convey, a much larger story to tell -- of how the submission of a human being
paved the way for salvation of the entire human race. Surely that is why we give
such a great importance to the Annunciation to St.Mary.
> ...her humility, submission, and obedience...Are these qualities
>feminine?
Let us look at other Biblical symbols of these characteristics.
- Abraham "obeys" the will of God and prepares to sacrfice Isaac.
- Moses was "humble", more so than anyone else on the face of the
earth(Numbers 12:3)
- Joseph "submits" to the will of God, and takes Mary as his wife
thus playing his role in the Incarnation.
- Jesus went down with them (his parents) and came to Nazareth and was
"obedient" to them.(Luke 2:51)
Throughout the Bible, we are taught to be submissive, humble and
obedient -- surely this teaching is not meant for only women?!
Regards,
Mathew Samuel, Albany, NY
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndianOrthodox/message/11513
the past. This time too her thoughts have taught me.
This message is to be seen as a reaction to the male domination in several
aspects of the society we see today (and in the past). In that regards, the
point in the message is well taken. There are several areas where our church
needs to be catalysts for change and these messages have a unique significance
in those areas.
However, we should not miss the point of the Sunday reading. "Where there is
male domination, feminism has its relevance; however where both males and
females understand their complementary, yet unique (note: may not be equal)
roles, feminism becomes out of place", I heard this recently and I see value in
that statement.
It will be sad if the great submission and obedience of Mother Mary is seen in
the context of a male\female tussle. The incident has a much bigger message to
convey, a much larger story to tell -- of how the submission of a human being
paved the way for salvation of the entire human race. Surely that is why we give
such a great importance to the Annunciation to St.Mary.
> ...her humility, submission, and obedience...Are these qualities
>feminine?
Let us look at other Biblical symbols of these characteristics.
- Abraham "obeys" the will of God and prepares to sacrfice Isaac.
- Moses was "humble", more so than anyone else on the face of the
earth(Numbers 12:3)
- Joseph "submits" to the will of God, and takes Mary as his wife
thus playing his role in the Incarnation.
- Jesus went down with them (his parents) and came to Nazareth and was
"obedient" to them.(Luke 2:51)
Throughout the Bible, we are taught to be submissive, humble and
obedient -- surely this teaching is not meant for only women?!
Regards,
Mathew Samuel, Albany, NY
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndianOrthodox/message/11513
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