My Guilt for the Cross (and the freedom from that)

I hesitated titling this post.  Using the word cross would probably cause many not to even read this. As with so many things in my spiritual journey, the reality of what happened on the cross is worth contemplating.

Sin did put Jesus on the cross but it was capital S sin.  It was the sin of the world, the sin of culture, society. The sin that said it would not, could not follow Christ or his teaching. Peace? Justice? Equality? The rule of Rome would have to change.  The rule of the Temple would have to change. Those in power would be required to step down and serve rather than be served.

I was always taught my sin put Jesus on the cross.  I was kept chained to the church with this guilt.  It was not, is not, the lie I told, the gum I stole when I was 8.  My sin is the sin of the world, the system, the culture.  My sin is that I continue to allow hunger, that I don't more strongly oppose drone warfare; that I don't more loudly protest the way women are treated as well as our gay brothers and sisters.

My sin is your sin.  This is the sin that put Jesus on the cross.  Those leaders were not willing to lay down their elevated lives any more than we are.

Yes, we may sign a petition.  We may give regularly to Poverello House.  But, it truly costs me nothing. However, when my friends cut me off, when my position where I work is threatened because of my words, then I understand the cross and what placed Jesus there.

 

Women - Can't Live with Them, Can't Live without Them

The truth is, you wouldn’t want to live without them.  We are a gift and a blessing that is not always recognized.

During this past election season my son asked me to comment on one of this FB posts regarding statements being made by politicians about women’s issues. He wanted to know how women can accept the place they have been given and the attempts to hold them there.

It seems no matter where we look in history – secular or religious history – women have been oppressed.They have been told they are to serve their male counterparts, to direct attention away from themselves and toward their betters; their physical bodies are what is of value giving pleasure to men and being the needed instrument to bring forth the next king to the realm.We have been told to walk behind our masters, to remain silent and to do the same work for less pay.

 

I never thought of myself as a feminist.  During the 60s I saw feminism as a very confrontational, aggressive Gloria Steinem.  Oh, I did support the “bra burning” but that was more my hippy side than my feminist side.  I didn’t want to wear a bra!

 

My own mother was an interesting mix of traditionalism and feminism.  She did the house cleaning, cooking, parenting and laundry.  She taught me dad always gets the best cut of meat and if he wants bread with dinner, you get up and get it.  I really didn’t see the feminist aspect of the life being modeled to me until my own daughter pointed it out.  One day while driving in downtown Seattle, I was telling Melanie about my new found feminist position.  She said, “What are you talking about? You raised me to be a feminist.” She went on to point out that my own mother owned not only one business but, even during retirement, continued to start small businesses not only to contribute to the household finances but because she loved working and people and challenges. How could I have not recognized all of this while growing up?  Probably because she emphasized that in our home, my dad was still central.

 

I wonder if in my lifetime I will see true equality and justice for women?  I’m not sure I could even describe what that would look like.  Maybe it is improving, but until we no longer hear reports of sex trafficking, struggling single moms, unequal pay and recognition in the workplace, we are still far off the mark.

Men- be aware, be active in your view of these wonderful feminine (no that’s not a derogatory word) gifts around you.

Women-be bold regarding your opinions of both yourself and the world around you.

As with so many things in this life, awareness is the beginning of the change.