I remember wondering why God didn’t make me a boy when I was younger. Sure, I had dreams of becoming a ballerina, but that lasted until my fifth birthday. Then I was filled with jealousy toward the opposite sex. They had many attributes that I was envious of. This period of my life didn’t last for very long, as my boy-crazy days rolled in, and instead of envy, it was admiration and infatuation toward them!
Thank God I was a 90’s kid. I was able to sit in that period of life and wasn’t pressured or confused by how I felt. As I grew older and learned more about mankind, I evolved naturally into my feminine role. I learned to appreciate the opposite gender and embrace my own.
The complementarity of the two sexes just made sense to me as a teen. I remember asking my male friends to help me carry heavy things or to walk me to my car at night after a football game. Now that I reflect upon it, they always humored me, and never seemed the least troubled by my requests!
But we aren’t in the 90s and 2000’s anymore, and talking about gender roles is taboo. We have managed to complicate a straightforward scientific fact. But for those who don’t believe in the science of two genders, there is also the biblical reference in the book of Genesis, “He created them male and female…”
We are living in a historically significant time for women. Many of the former injustices towards women have ceased. There are many female CEO’s and women in other positions of power, including the presidential race here in the United States, with many other breakthroughs in our communities and society at large. The feminist pioneers would be cheering to hear of such triumphs!
Yet, I am daring to argue that not all women are feminine. Some women, and often those who label themselves as feminists, are just striving to become more like men. Women deserve equal rights, equal justice, equal opportunities, equal dignity, etc. But developing masculine attributes is the farthest thing from feminine!
I ask you to pray over these words from Pope Paul VI during the closing of the Second Vatican Council on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, December 8, 1965.
“But the hour is coming, in fact, has come, when the vocation of woman is being achieved in its fullness, the hour in which woman acquires in the world an influence, an effect and a power never hitherto achieved. That is why, at this moment, when the human race is undergoing so deep a transformation, women impregnated with the spirit of the Gospel can do so much to aid mankind in not falling.
You women have always had as your lot the protection of the home, the love of beginnings and an understanding of cradles. You are present in the mystery of a life beginning. You offer consolation in the departure of death. Our technology runs the risk of becoming inhuman. Reconcile men with life and above all, we beseech you, watch carefully over the future of our race. Hold back the hand of man who, in a moment of folly, might attempt to destroy human civilization.
Wives, mothers of families, the first educators of the human race in the intimacy of the family circle, pass on to your sons and your daughters the traditions of your fathers at the same time that you prepare them for an unsearchable future. Always remember that by her children a mother belongs to that future which perhaps she will not see.
And you, women living alone, realize what you can accomplish through your dedicated vocation. Society is appealing to you on all sides. Not even families can live without the help of those who have no families. Especially you, consecrated virgins, in a world where egoism and the search for pleasure would become law, be the guardians of purity, unselfishness and piety. Jesus who has given to conjugal love all its plenitudes, has also exalted the renouncement of human love when this is for the sake of divine love and for the service of all.
Lastly, women in trial, who stand upright at the foot of the cross like Mary, you who so often in history have given to men the strength to battle unto the very end and to give witness to the point of martyrdom, aid them now still once more to retain courage in their great undertakings, while at the same time maintaining patience and an esteem for humble beginnings.
Women, you know how to make truth sweet, tender, and accessible; make it your task to bring the spirit of this council into institutions, schools, homes, and daily life. Women of the entire universe, whether Christian or non-believing, you to whom life is entrusted at this grave moment in history, it is for you to save the peace of the world.”
If that passage didn’t move you to tears or cover your arms with goosebumps, I encourage you to read it again!
That address fires me up and gives me so much hope. It makes me proud to be a woman!
Women are not simply smaller, prettier, gentler men. We are unique creatures, who bring life and hope into our fallen world. Our strengths complement our male counterparts, as they do for us.
We radiate the 4 characteristics of the feminine genius in our homes, workplaces, communities, churches and ultimately the world.
We set aside our desire to control, and receive people into our lives. We are then sensitive to their needs and act generously towards them. This is our maternal contribution to society.
God has called every one of us to a unique role. Some of us will quietly serve our families, never working outside the home, others will work multiple jobs to put food on the table, and others will thrive in the marketplace, or even run for President of the United States of America.
Regardless of your unique vocation and role in the Kingdom of God, love and lead those around you through the genius of our feminine nature. You are powerful because of your femininity, not despite it.
Lord, I thank You for creating me in Your image and likeness. I know You are merciful and loving because I see those traits in the amazing women around me. I know that You receive the lost and broken, that You are sensitive to the cries of those who are calling out to You, I know that You are generous in all of our needs, and that You love us maternally, as a mother loves her child, with unconditional love. Thank you for these amazing gifts in my life, and help me to use these superpowers to be a force for good, beauty, and love in the world.
We ask all of this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Until next time, your sister in Christ,
Leah
*If you missed the first post in our series on the Feminine Genius, you can find it here- The Feminine Genius (catholiccountrychronicles.com)
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