pilgrimage - day #31

the good Mary...

One of the elements missing from many religious services is the feminine.  Unfortunately the "mother" part of Mother Earth has been long forgot, as men interpret Biblical stories to fit their "manly" needs.  In my opinion, these needs are about men in charge; with women at the bottom on the food chain. 

Even the Catholic church, whom make exaltations to mother Mary, don't allow women to preach or hold important roles in the church.  Somewhere along the way, the beauty and warmth of the mother role was lost in the male dominated religious hierarchy.  Sure, there is a prayer to her; but how many say the prayer and don't even take the time to experience what is being said.

Mary: Mother of Jesus, Mother of God, and Blessed Virgin Mary.  In 401 C.E. the Council of Ephesus determined that Mary lived a sinless life and was a "god bearer."  Whether myth or tradition, Mary became someone who prayers are sent, paintings drawn, songs are sung, and stories are written.  Many believe Mary lived a virginal life - never consummating her marriage to Joseph.  The "brothers" and "sisters" referred to in the Bible are simply ways to address those that followed Jesus.  Whether you believe that Mary was an "immaculate conception" (i.e. sinless from birth), or that she was the mother of Jesus; this woman should at least sprout the desire to have a feminine element in the church. 

In my readings on Wikipedia, I was a bit surprised to read the following:

"By contrast, certain documents of the Second Vatican Council, such as chapter VIII of the Dogmatic Constitution Lumen Gentium [3] describe Mary as higher than all other created beings, even angels: "she far surpasses all creatures, both in heaven and on earth"; but still in the final analysis, a created being, solely human - not divine - in her nature. On this showing, Catholic traditionalists would argue that there is no conflation [4] of the human and divine levels in their veneration of Mary."

The mother of God Almighty, no.  The mother of Jesus, yes.  But higher than all creatures?  I don't think I could ever wrap my mind around that.


I believe Mary was the womb for the God's holy spirit.  Jesus was born as a god-man; the man who would preach about his father's kingdom to come.  I don't care whether Mary was a virgin, nor whether she ever consumated her relationship with Joseph.  What matters to me is what Jesus taught his disciples. 

I do have issues with the "biblical" views of a woman's role in society and in the family.  I was raised with strong views that a woman can be whatever she wants to be.  Of course if you listen to "bible-based" churches, you are told a wife is a helpmate to the husband.  I'm sure this works in many marriages.  To many, our family looks like a bible-based household.  Husband/Father goes to work in the morning, and wife/mother keeps house and takes care of the children.  Of course what isn't seen is that the wife/mother also has a part-time job (16 piano and/or voice students) which pays for a variety of things; including vacations and money for gas that gets husband/father to work.  The wife/mother is also the Superintendent of Sunday School, a teacher at church, and an active member in the book club, women's circle and Bible study groups.


So why do I want a rosary to recite the "Hail Mary"?  Because I think as a meditation tool it would be fantastic.  I would hope it would allow my heart and mind to be open to listen to God Almighty.  Is that what all Catholics do?  Or do they simply say the prayer and never really understand what they are stating?  The early monks used it for meditation, but is this what what the prayer is intended for today?  Or is it used to punish those that sinned - "Say 5 Our Father's and 3 Hail Mary's for your sins today, son."

I would hope that each word that passes my lips leaves with true grace and heartfelt understanding.


"Hail Mary, full of grave, the Lord is with thee.  Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.  Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.  Amen."

Today's Scriptures
Psalms 89:15-17 (Hebrew)
Happy are the people who know the festal shout, 
who walk, O Lord, in the light of your countenance; 
they exult in your name all day long, 
and extol your righteousness.
For you are the glory of their strength; 
by your favor our horn is exalted.