So! I have been reading the most amazing book! It was introduced and recommended to me by my dear, sweet Mother-in-law, who could not say enough good things about it.
The book is titled "The Valiant Woman" and is a series of discourses from Monseigneur Landriot, the once archbishop of Rheims, given to the ladies of the Society of Charity. They are especially directed toward married women, but are also very useful for unmarried women.
There are seventeen discourses, and I have read through the fourth discourse thus far. This book has been one of the most challenging books I have ever read. It has, with ease, dispelled notions of this world for the married woman, and at the same time provided godly direction and truth for her state in life.
I suppose I will write about this book, at least a little, as I go through it, and as I feel inspired to share.
If anyone read my last blog, I talked about the role of a married woman. "The Valiant Woman" is giving me more and more truth on the matter and more instruction as well - I do so love practical application!
The Msgr. Landriot, who wrote this book, has no qualms about stating the purposes of God for the married woman. No sugar-coating here. Just straightforward, in-your-face challenges. These are not new ideas or personal opinions that the Msgr. is spouting. No, they are grounded in the Word, they have been tested and tried by many generations past, and have been found not wanting. To give you a taste of such bittersweet-ness, I will list a few of the discourses:
A Portrait of the Valiant Woman
The Valiant Woman reigns over one empire, and that is her home.
The Valiant Woman is the "sun" of her household, giving it light and warmth.
Developing firmness with constancy, the Valiant Woman is neither obstinate or fickle.
Duties of the Valiant Woman, the guardian of the domestic hearth.
The virtuous wife can polish the manners of a stern husband, however abrasive his character.
True Beauty: a veil of glory that radiates the exterior of the woman who has the invisible elegance of a virtuous heart.
I have truly been inspired even more so to be the woman of God I am called to be in my home! The domestic life has purpose and meaning, and IT IS MY CALLING, MY VOCATION!
Even having only read the first few chapters, it is becoming clearer just how much responsibility and how many duties I have. Especially challenging is the discourses on idleness and ennui, which is boredom, and how these are the greatest contributors to vice and abandonment of duty.
I will end this with an excerpt from the book:
From the Second Discourse, "The Valiant Woman reigns over one empire, and that is her home."
"The care of her household should be one of a woman's chief occupations. To men belong external toil, the hurry of business, the administration of civil and military offices, the courts of law, the cure of the sick, and the study of science. Woman plays a more modest part: her domain is her house, her rule is over its interior, her subjects are the persons and things connected with all the details of domestic life. Woman's mission, as well as man's, has its advantages and inconveniences. Flowers and thorns are to be found in all the gardens of earth, whether these belong to man or woman, and happiness often depends on the degree of skill and care with which we cull the flowers and put aside the thorns....Accept then, my children, the position God has ordained for you in this world; accept the sphere in which Divine Providence has placed you; be queens in your own empire; but, if you value your happiness, your tranquility, and the success of your affairs, do not seek to be queens elsewhere. If prudence permit and wisdom counsel, then suggest, advise, and influence by affection; but you will be all the more persuasive if you are first what you ought yourselves to be, and what God intended you to be. To do good in one's own sphere of action, without seeking to leave it unless when requested to do so, is often the best sermon, and the most active means of indirectly influencing affairs outside our own province."
Tuesday, December 07, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
So Here Goes Everything...
So, here I go. :)
There is so much to say and so little space to write it in, and even more so, so little time to write it all down.
The first - and probably most often written about - subject I'd like to delve into is that of the woman, the female, the feminine characteristic of God in bodily form. Though, not women in general. No, the MARRIED woman. The woman who has chosen matrimony (Catholics call it the Sacrament of Matrimony) as her vocation.
I want the reader to take note here, as it is imperative to understand : When I write about women, I will usually be referring to MARRIED women, NOT single women, unless I mention otherwise. Although, what I write about is not just for married women, but also for those women who wish one day to be married, so that they may learn.
Now that that's out of the way, let's continue, shall we?
Back to the vocation of marriage. Every person is called to one of two very specific vocations: the vocation of matrimony or the vocation of celibacy. It IS that simple. God calls each of us to live out a life of holiness and love in one of these ways. We either devote ourselves to a life of holiness through consecrated marriage or through consecrated celibacy.
If a woman is called to marriage, THAT is her vocation. Not sewing, not dancing, not singing, not politicking...no. She is called to MARRIAGE. Don't get me wrong. A woman can do many things within her vocation of marriage, but they will not be her "calling". They will be gifts, talents, burdens, hobbies, desires that she is more than able to use within the sphere of her vocation.
A woman's vocation is marriage if that is the desire of her heart - to be married - and if that is what she chooses to do. If she chooses marriage, it is for life, and it is the path to holiness she has chosen.
Understanding one's vocation is absolutely key to understanding one's place and duty in this life. I went through The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren a few years ago. I was so excited at first because I thought, "Yes! Finally...I will know what my calling is." I know that study has helped people worldwide discover what God has designed them for and put in their hearts. Yet for me, I did not find what I was looking for. What I found was a gaping hole of sloppiness and unknowing. I'm not dissing the study. I'm just saying that I did not hear any way of knowing what my calling was in life. I heard a lot about ministry and gifts and desires. Good things, but they all seemed to be stuff. Stuff that goes along with something bigger, something more important, something more solid. I may not be making any sense, but let me continue. I continued to struggle with the "purpose" of my life, not knowing what it really was, or what "purpose" really even meant. It wasn't until I learned about vocation, after coming into the Catholic Church, that I finally understood what I was made for, beyond the generalities of loving and worshiping God and loving others.
It finally clicked: Vocation = Purpose ! The Catholic understanding of one's "vocation" is the same as what non-Catholics call "purpose"! I was so relieved and overjoyed! It may not be shocking or such a revelation to anyone reading this, but it was to me. I wasn't relieved at the different wording or that it was a Catholic term. I was relieved that Catholics actually defined one's "purpose" so specifically and simply! According to "vocation" EVERYONE is called to either marriage or celibacy! How refreshingly simple! No longer have I worried about whether or not I should sing on stage or teach drama or serve in the children's ministry. I have realized that my ONLY calling, my vocation is to be married, and that anything else is secondary to that calling. Though I may have a desire or gift to sing or a desire and gift to teach children or a desire and gift to dance for Jesus, these are secondary to my calling in life to marriage.
Before I get too ahead of myself, let me explain about the vocation of marriage. It is not simply something you are - married - or even something you tend to once a week - working on your marriage. This vocation carries FAR GREATER responsibilities than these simple things. The vocation of marriage entails many responsibilities, duties, joys, as well as crosses. It even entails placement and role. One does not just fit a wedding day and spouse into a day in their life and continue on doing whatever they were doing before. Although, THAT is exactly how marriage has come to be understood in this day and age. But trust me, that is NOT what marriage is about.
The vocation of marriage is important for both men and women to learn the truth about, for it entails the responsibilities and placement of each. For the woman, the wife, in the vocation of marriage she is called to be many things: lover to her husband, childbearer, nurturer, guardian of her home, cultivator of life, teacher to her children, comforter, supporter, help-mate to her husband, sensitive, emotional, encourager, manager of her household affairs, provider of health and nutrition to her family, and much more. For the man, the husband, the vocation of marriage entails very different, yet complimentary responsibilities: lover to his wife, provider for his family, giver of life(with God of course), protector of his family, logical, instructor, mentor, strong, steady, and also more.
Obviously, there is much more here than just "being married" or "having a husband" or "having a wife". There are actual duties and placements laid out for each spouse, AND THEY ARE VERY DIFFERENT. This is IMPORTANT!!
Men and women compliment each other BECAUSE of their differences.
Men are not women, and women are not men! Duh, but believe you me, most people today cannot even comprehend the simplicity of such a statement, and yes, Christian people.
If we do not understand that men are supposed to be men (which means husbands do what they're supposed to do) and that women are supposed to be women (which means wives do what they're supposed to do) then we will never fulfill the calling of God in our lives.
Wives and husbands have very different roles within marriage. They have different roles because they themselves are different.
More later.....
There is so much to say and so little space to write it in, and even more so, so little time to write it all down.
The first - and probably most often written about - subject I'd like to delve into is that of the woman, the female, the feminine characteristic of God in bodily form. Though, not women in general. No, the MARRIED woman. The woman who has chosen matrimony (Catholics call it the Sacrament of Matrimony) as her vocation.
I want the reader to take note here, as it is imperative to understand : When I write about women, I will usually be referring to MARRIED women, NOT single women, unless I mention otherwise. Although, what I write about is not just for married women, but also for those women who wish one day to be married, so that they may learn.
Now that that's out of the way, let's continue, shall we?
Back to the vocation of marriage. Every person is called to one of two very specific vocations: the vocation of matrimony or the vocation of celibacy. It IS that simple. God calls each of us to live out a life of holiness and love in one of these ways. We either devote ourselves to a life of holiness through consecrated marriage or through consecrated celibacy.
If a woman is called to marriage, THAT is her vocation. Not sewing, not dancing, not singing, not politicking...no. She is called to MARRIAGE. Don't get me wrong. A woman can do many things within her vocation of marriage, but they will not be her "calling". They will be gifts, talents, burdens, hobbies, desires that she is more than able to use within the sphere of her vocation.
A woman's vocation is marriage if that is the desire of her heart - to be married - and if that is what she chooses to do. If she chooses marriage, it is for life, and it is the path to holiness she has chosen.
Understanding one's vocation is absolutely key to understanding one's place and duty in this life. I went through The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren a few years ago. I was so excited at first because I thought, "Yes! Finally...I will know what my calling is." I know that study has helped people worldwide discover what God has designed them for and put in their hearts. Yet for me, I did not find what I was looking for. What I found was a gaping hole of sloppiness and unknowing. I'm not dissing the study. I'm just saying that I did not hear any way of knowing what my calling was in life. I heard a lot about ministry and gifts and desires. Good things, but they all seemed to be stuff. Stuff that goes along with something bigger, something more important, something more solid. I may not be making any sense, but let me continue. I continued to struggle with the "purpose" of my life, not knowing what it really was, or what "purpose" really even meant. It wasn't until I learned about vocation, after coming into the Catholic Church, that I finally understood what I was made for, beyond the generalities of loving and worshiping God and loving others.
It finally clicked: Vocation = Purpose ! The Catholic understanding of one's "vocation" is the same as what non-Catholics call "purpose"! I was so relieved and overjoyed! It may not be shocking or such a revelation to anyone reading this, but it was to me. I wasn't relieved at the different wording or that it was a Catholic term. I was relieved that Catholics actually defined one's "purpose" so specifically and simply! According to "vocation" EVERYONE is called to either marriage or celibacy! How refreshingly simple! No longer have I worried about whether or not I should sing on stage or teach drama or serve in the children's ministry. I have realized that my ONLY calling, my vocation is to be married, and that anything else is secondary to that calling. Though I may have a desire or gift to sing or a desire and gift to teach children or a desire and gift to dance for Jesus, these are secondary to my calling in life to marriage.
Before I get too ahead of myself, let me explain about the vocation of marriage. It is not simply something you are - married - or even something you tend to once a week - working on your marriage. This vocation carries FAR GREATER responsibilities than these simple things. The vocation of marriage entails many responsibilities, duties, joys, as well as crosses. It even entails placement and role. One does not just fit a wedding day and spouse into a day in their life and continue on doing whatever they were doing before. Although, THAT is exactly how marriage has come to be understood in this day and age. But trust me, that is NOT what marriage is about.
The vocation of marriage is important for both men and women to learn the truth about, for it entails the responsibilities and placement of each. For the woman, the wife, in the vocation of marriage she is called to be many things: lover to her husband, childbearer, nurturer, guardian of her home, cultivator of life, teacher to her children, comforter, supporter, help-mate to her husband, sensitive, emotional, encourager, manager of her household affairs, provider of health and nutrition to her family, and much more. For the man, the husband, the vocation of marriage entails very different, yet complimentary responsibilities: lover to his wife, provider for his family, giver of life(with God of course), protector of his family, logical, instructor, mentor, strong, steady, and also more.
Obviously, there is much more here than just "being married" or "having a husband" or "having a wife". There are actual duties and placements laid out for each spouse, AND THEY ARE VERY DIFFERENT. This is IMPORTANT!!
Men and women compliment each other BECAUSE of their differences.
Men are not women, and women are not men! Duh, but believe you me, most people today cannot even comprehend the simplicity of such a statement, and yes, Christian people.
If we do not understand that men are supposed to be men (which means husbands do what they're supposed to do) and that women are supposed to be women (which means wives do what they're supposed to do) then we will never fulfill the calling of God in our lives.
Wives and husbands have very different roles within marriage. They have different roles because they themselves are different.
More later.....
Back Again
Here I am, back again, after 2 years! And once again, it is Aenon who reminded me that I even had such a place to write and has encouraged me to continue writing. Thank you, Aenon! It is in fact the signal I have needed to start what I have been wanting to do - get the message out there. Whatever that message may be in subject, it will always have at its core the Gospel message and the Message of Love throughout the Bible. What I will most likely be doing is writing bits and pieces of a whole topic from time to time, most likely adding a new post once a week or more if I have time. I don't want this to consume my time, as it is best spent doing my duties at home, but I feel it is necessary to obey the call to be a witness. I feel at times I could burst with the truth and the little bit of knowledge God has allowed me to learn. My heart pains as I see those around me whom I wish to share this truth and knowledge. Thankfully, God has been teaching me a lot about pride and humility lately, which will hopefully help me to keep from being condemning or judgmental,which I know I have been guilty of for most of my life. I long to be humble and pure. I don't want to judge others, for God alone knows the heart of a person, and I do not. Therefore, whatever I write I pray I write in humility, not out of a judging perspective or prideful condemnation. If some are offended I hope it will not be because that is my goal, but because their hearts are convicted. I can only pray for those who read this, which is the greatest thing I could ever do. For prayer IS action.
I do not pretend to have all the knowledge in the world on any subject I may undertake. I am young, and I have plenty to learn, and (thank God!) I do not know everything. What I write is what I have learned up that point in time. There will quite possibly be more to say on the matter and what I say may, in time, even change slightly or a lot! These are possibilities, to be certain. Yet, I also write what I believe to be truth, not just what the latest and greatest social magazine has to say about the fact, but what I feel actually IS truth.
I tell you all this so that when in doubt, you may return to this post and see just exactly what it is that I'm doing and why and what my intentions truly are.
May the Father of Mercies bring us all to the truth.
I do not pretend to have all the knowledge in the world on any subject I may undertake. I am young, and I have plenty to learn, and (thank God!) I do not know everything. What I write is what I have learned up that point in time. There will quite possibly be more to say on the matter and what I say may, in time, even change slightly or a lot! These are possibilities, to be certain. Yet, I also write what I believe to be truth, not just what the latest and greatest social magazine has to say about the fact, but what I feel actually IS truth.
I tell you all this so that when in doubt, you may return to this post and see just exactly what it is that I'm doing and why and what my intentions truly are.
May the Father of Mercies bring us all to the truth.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)