The Dignity and Vocation of Women

Sister Geralyn Schmidt, SCC

Introduction

• Quotes– Gaudium et Spes (2)– Pope Paul IV

Theotokos

• Union with God– Galatians 4:4– Genesis 3:15 – Luke 1:33-37

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Theotokos_Iverskaya.jpg

Theotokos

• Fullness of time– Dignity of woman

• Women represents humanity– Union of mother and Son– Virgin Mother– Overshadowing of the

Holy Spirit– God ASKS permission

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Theotokos_Iverskaya.jpg

To Serve is to Reign

• The Annunciation• Action of Grace• Handmaid– Creature– Servant– Kingdom of God– Foundation of what it

means to be a woman

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ru_boff/3245887692/sizes/m/in/photostream/

Image and Likeness of God

• Book of Genesis (1:27)–Man highest point of

creation– BOTH in God’s image– BOTH unlike all other

creatures– Together they form a

community

http://www.brogilbert.org/woman/woman_creation.JPG

Image and Likeness of God

• Person made in communion– Rational and free– In relationship– Trinity– Community based on love

http://vocatum.blogspot.com/2007_06_01_archive.html

Image and Likeness of God

• Anthropomorphism of the bible– God speaks to us in human language – Love of God

Isaiah 49:14-15 --- Isaiah 69:13 --- Psalm 131

– God is feminine and masculine• Hosea 11:1-4• Jer 3:4-9

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rykneethling/5811115037/

Eve and Mary

• Mystery of sin and evil– Negation of God as

Creator in relationship to man

– Independent from God– Sin did not destroy

likeness to God

http://blogs.nd.edu/oblation/files/2012/12/Mary-as-the-New-Eve-15th-century.jpg

Eve and Mary

• Sin– Disturbances to

relationship between man and woman

– Gift of self– “He shall rule over

you.”

http://blogs.nd.edu/oblation/files/2012/12/Mary-as-the-New-Eve-15th-century.jpg

Proto-evangelium

• The First Gospel– Genesis 3:15 – I will

put … –Women – pro-genitrix

of the redeemer of man–Women: Mary and Eve• Old Testament• New Testament

http://blogs.nd.edu/oblation/files/2012/12/Mary-as-the-New-Eve-15th-century.jpg

Jesus Christ and Women

• Jesus TALKED to women• Jesus promotes dignity and vocation

– John 4:27– Luke 7:39–Matthew 2:13–Matthew 19:3

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Franceschini,_Giacomo_-_Ges%C3%B9_e_la_Samaritana_al_pozzo.jpg

Women in the Gospel

• Luke 13:11 – Women bent over• Mark 1:30 – Simon’s mother-in-law

• Mark 5:25-34 – Flow of blood• Mark 5:41 – Daughter of Jairus• Luke 7:13 – Widow of Naim• Matthew 15:28 – Canaanite woman

• Luke 8:1-3 – Provide for Jesus• John 4:7-27 – Samaritan woman• Luke 7:37-47 – Public sinner• John 8:3-11 – Adulterer

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Magdalene

Women in the Parables

• Illustrate the truth of the Kingdom of God– Lost coin – Lk 15: 8-10– The leven – Mt. 13:33– The Wise and foolish

Virgins – Mt. 25:1-13–Widows mite –

Lk 21:1-4

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Brooklyn_Museum_-_The_Lost_Drachma_(La_drachme_perdue)_-_James_Tissot_-_overall.jpg

Woman caught in Adultery

• Affect of the first sin– Habitual discrimination against women– TWO people in adultery– Abortion

– The dignity and vocation of women

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_and_the_woman_taken_in_adultery

Guardian of the Gospel

• Christ’s action• Woman at the well– “If you only knew the gift

of God” -- John 4:7-27

• Martha and Mary• Woman who bathed his

feet • Women at the foot of the

crosshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christ_in_the_House_of_Martha_and_Mary_(Vermeer)

First Witness of the Resurrection

• Sensitivity• Receptivity• Generosity• Maternity

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tizian_050.jpg

Motherhood - Virginity

• Found in Mary– Annunciation• Receptivity

– Generosity–Motherhood• Involves a special communion

with the mystery of life

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Virgin_Mary_Golgotha_Hajdudorog.jpg

Motherhood - Virginity

• Mary – new covenant• Jesus redefines

motherhood• Paschal Mystery• Sensitivity

http://www.flickr.com/photos/waitingfortheword/6398428089/sizes/m/in/photostream/

Motherhood - Virginity

• Celibacy for the kingdom

• Women – called to be loved and to love– Seen in:• Concern for others• Open to others needs• Profoundly personal

http://www.flickr.com/photos/waitingfortheword/6365287195/sizes/m/in/photostream/

Motherhood - Virginity

• Bride of Christ– Christ the groom– Church is the bride– “Your maker is your

husband “ (Is 54:5)– Pouring out of Christ to

us out of love

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coronation_of_the_Virgin

Feminine Genius

• Dignity of woman and the order of love• Vocation of women– Spousal relationship– Interpersonal relationship– Bride and bridegroom • Woman and all of humanity

WE WERE CREATED TO GIVE AND RECEIVE LOVE