Good Morning Mystic

From the beginning of the development of Christianity women were actively involved in the Church.  Paul characterizes a woman named Junia as “outstanding among the apostles” (Rom. 16:7).  In the time since Paul wrote to praise Junia, other ancient writers who, in the Church’s unfortunate yet continual repression of women, gave her a sex change and began to refer to her as “Junias.”  Why?   Because in the Church’s continual repression of woman this woman’s name was taken over by men. 

It is thought that the root of such defamation in the Church lies in the notion that women are unclean, primarily due to their ability to menstruate.  There was also a secondary state of uncleanliness the Church believed was intrinsic to women related to the shame they carried with them as a result of the story of the Fall.  There also existed the fear that a women might still lure men to sin and away from God.

This is just one of many, many examples found in the history of Christianity which is unfortunately a history of how women were silenced and deprived of their rights.  Again, we have to ask why?  Why does one group seek to silence another?  To gain power.  Obviously women were gaining too much power and a group of threatened men sought to reduce their power and subjugate them.   It is the story of life.  It is a type of war.  Two thousand years later women still find this battle fatiguing. 

But don’t give up. Women and men today cannot imagine Jesus or the Creator condoning this type of suppression of Spirit.  Continue to fight.  Continue to pray.

Pray this morning that you hold in your mind and your heart the knowledge and understanding that God is far, far greater than the twisted thoughts of imperfect human beings. 

Libertas spiritus.