IN discussing Scripture on the role of women and men in society, we must be aware of the deep and universal prejudice against women, socially built into the males in every culture.
For example, Matthew writes on the conception and childhood of the Christ Child and tells it from the perspective of St Joseph, mentioning Mary only where necessary.
Now, Mary was in the Holy Spirit from conception and was always “full of grace”.
It was the Holy Spirit who inspired her choice of chastity and continued to guide her through life.
The Holy Spirit “overshadowed” her at the incarnation and it was she whose compliance with God’s will welcomed and enabled the incarnation, in spite of dire prophetic warnings of Messianic suffering.
It was she who birthed, nurtured, reared and educated Jesus – honourably assisted by St Joseph the foster father, who was honourably the head of the family.
But Jesus and Mary were, clearly, the heart of the family, without which Joseph’s headship would be without motive or direction.
The headship and the “heartship” complemented each other, and did not hinder each other.
Given these matters and her sharing of the sacrifice of Jesus, in her heart and soul beneath His cross, and the fact that we are her spiritually adopted children, there is every reason we should prayerfully ask her intercession with her Son.
Moses compromised with his people by allowing divorce, where they were too hard-hearted to come up to divine standards. (Matthew 19:8)
Some observe that this hard-heartedness and prejudice was still there when Jesus chose His apostles, so concern for His fledgling Church and its growth against this prejudice could be the source of the male-only choice.
But Jesus rescinded Moses’ compromise.
JK CREEVEY
Springwood, Qld
