THE ROLES OF MEN AND WOMEN

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Only True Lord, God, and Savior,

CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.

THE ROLES OF MEN AND WOMEN

In the economy of mankind’s life on earth, we discern certain indications laid down by our Lord regarding the roles of men and women.

A woman, the Most Holy Mother of God, was involved in the Incarnation of Jesus, the Christ. Shortly prior to the Passion of Christ, a woman in Bethany anointed His feet in preparation for His burying (John 12:7). The women stood beneath the Cross during His final agony. Mary Magdalene ushered in the new age by announcing "He is Risen" (John 20:17). To another woman, Martha, He revealed, "I am the Resurrection and the Life" — again, tremendous words — at the Raising of Lazarus from four days dead in the tomb (John 11:25). To Photina, the woman at the well, He taught that He was "the Living water" (John 4:10-14). All these are momentous events and profound concepts entrusted to women, involving life and death.

But what of men? Our Lord’s Apostles and Disciples were men. He taught men at length the "Way" of Christ (John 14:6), and the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven on earth (Matthew 13, 20, 22, 25). To one, Peter, He gave the keys to the Kingdom (Matthew 16:19), and told him to feed His sheep (John 21:16-17) He gave them authority to bind and loose (Matthew 18:18). He sent out His Disciples to heal and to cast out demons; and to teach all nations, baptizing them (Matthew 28:19-20).. And, most important of all, He instructed them in performing the sacraments, so crucial to the health of our soul. He gave the, in effect, the function of priests and stewards of the human soul.

In the life of a human being, the infant is born of woman who then nurtures him, guards his life carefully during his early development, and is the first to imbue him with the foundation of spiritual values — ideally, with the help of the child’s godparents. Jesus Ben Sirach says, "A father’s blessing makes the houses of his children firm, while a mother’s curse tears up their foundations" (Ecclesiasticus 3:9). During life, women minister to man’s physical needs, comfort and support them in their weaknesses, and continue to teach by their sacrificial example of "commending ourselves and each other and all our lives unto Christ our Lord," while men maintain their spiritual needs. As the person’s death approaches, the priest comes for the sacrament of Unction, and we see women nursing his body and preparing his mind and soul for a transition to life Eternal.

At the age of 12, Jesus left his mother’s protective realm and joined the elders in the Temple. It would appear from all this that our Lord was conveying to us that the natural role of women is to be involved in life and death, in preparation and various kinds of transition and the role of mane is to baptize and maintain the health of the soul through teaching and sacraments for the life of the world. For this, fervent obedience to God’s will is equally important for both. Praise be to God for making us all a living and productive part of the Body of Christ.

A PRAYER FOR MANKIND

Thou who at all times and in all places art worshipped and glorified, both in heaven and
on earth, Christ God, longsuffering, generous in mercy and rich in compassion, loving to
the just and merciful to the sinner, O Thou Who callest all men to repentance through the
promise of blessings to come: deign, Thou, O Lord, at this very hour to receive our
supplications and to direct our lives in the way of Thy commandments. Sanctify our souls,
purify our bodies, set our minds aright, cleanse our thoughts; deliver us from all afflictions,
wrath, danger and necessity; surround us with Thy holy Angels, so that, guided and guarded
by their hosts, we may reach the unity of the Faith and the comprehension of Thine ineffable
glory, Thou Who art Blessed forever and ever. Amen. [References:  The Bible and the Holy