Filled
with a noble spirit that stirred her womanly heart with manly courage, she
exhorted each of them…” I have to admit I was a little nervous when I read this line
in our first reading—“womanly heart with
manly courage”—because I am the only guy with you Sisters!
In
reading the Old Testament we must do so in light of the New—men and women have
equal dignity in the eyes of God.
Such concepts weren’t as developed in the Israelite and Greek customs. Yet the basic point of this verse
remains true.
Typically
women are recognized for their compassion and care giving. Throughout history men have been noted
for bravery, strength and protection.
In fact, the Latin word for man—vir—comes
from the same root as courage—virtus. Yet the point isn’t to discriminate,
but to show that while some virtues come more naturally to a man or to a woman
(or even to individual people), we must strive to supplement our strengths with
virtues that aren’t so easy.
In
being courageous in the face of her seven sons’ deaths, this woman showed a
balance between compassion and strength.
In so doing, she is a sign of our Blessed Mother.
Mary
held the virtues we strive for in perfect balance. Like the mother in Maccabees, Mary watched her child die a
horrific death. Yet rather than
seeking a way out (due to a natural maternal instinct) she lived out the words
of the unnamed mother, “Do not be afraid
of this executioner, but be worthy of your brothers and
accept death, so that in the time of mercy I may
receive you again with them.”
We
ask our Mother to pray for the grace to grow in virtue, to be strong and
compassionate.
No comments:
Post a Comment