New Feminism...what does this mean?

In the next few blogs, I will explore how women can impact cultural change, what roles and responsibilities as mothers we have to humanity and God.

"When you empower women, you empower the future for generations to come".

This quote hangs inside the foyer of a fistula clinic in Rwanda, Africa. For those of us who do not know, a fistula clinic provides medical attention to women and girls who have had the most unimaginable birthing experiences. Some girls as young as 9 are there because their bodies were too young and small to have a child, yet they still were married off and became pregnant. Fistula's develop because the girl cannot push the child out and it tears her from the inside out. Usually the bladder and intestines are torn, causing her to lose control of her body and causing her to leak and live in awful stench. Many girls walk for days in pain to reach help and seek medical attention. Many more die before they get help. If a woman has a fistula and does not receive care, she is shunned in her village and not attended to. Many girls who do not get help are destined to live a life of solitude and in poverty. Most of them have also lost the babies that they carried as they died during childbirth.

This is unimaginable for us to even think about, why would I want to blog about it? Two words: human dignity. We as a civilized culture wonder how it could happen and why it does not change. It is so easy for us to judge and stay silent to the suffering of women worldwide because we can retreat to the comforts of our suburban lives. So we ignore it, we maybe say a prayer for them and then continue on in our daily existence. What impact does it have for us in America or any first world country, except for the fact it makes us be thankful our daughters were born here, that we were born here, nothing more. When we live in a world that is sheltered because of not wanting to know, we become immune to the trauma that our sisters across the world live on a day to day basis. When we do not speak up or acknowledge their human suffering, we essentially are allowing that cycle trauma to continue. I know we are not all really sisters, but we are all children of God, in that, we are family with all of humanity. We sometimes forget that because our egos get in the way. We cease to understand other people and their cultures, we judge what we do not know and then we fear what we judge. That is not only the American way, it is the way of most human beings when they are not affected. Most of all, we wonder how our society has become so degraded and so far off what really resonates in our hearts and our souls.

Dear sisters, we have the power to change this. We are talking about a societal change, it may take years, but we have to raise our conscious levels to bring humanity back to the way God intended us to live. This means setting our egos aside, no more judgement or fear of things we cannot control. We have the power to raise our children to be better than we are, we have the power to set examples for them daily and we have the power to impact those around us to radiate who we are. That sisters, is free will. It will take time, but in questioning that it cannot be done, we are already surrendering to the change. It is easier to live daily in our existence, to do good when we have time and to forget what we are called to do, not just as Catholics, but as women of Christ. Pope John Paul II talks about the term "New Feminism" in his 1995 Encyclical letter Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life), 99.

"In transforming culture so that it supports life, women occupy a place in thought and action which is unique and decisive. It depends on them to promote a "new feminism". Women first learn and then teach others that human relationships are authentic of they are open to accepting to the other person: a person who is recognized and loved because of the dignity which comes from being a person and not from other considerations such as usefulness, strength, intelligence, beauty or health. This is the fundamental contribution which the church and humanity expect from women. And it is the indispensable prerequisite for an authentic cultural change."

When we separate ourselves from others, either socially, spiritually, or egotistically we become unequal as human beings. We are not then open to receive God in all totality, we are putting Him on our level and are limiting him to our own ego. We are the change that needs to happen, among our homes, our children, our thoughts and the world. This term is not a political term hijacked to get someone elected, it is what we are called to do to return to our consciousness. This is New Feminism and it is not something that we can take for granted.

In the reflection for the next couple of days, egos aside, how are you affecting or hindering the awakening that God has called out for us?

Blessings and love.

What Does Lent Represent to You?

I was baptized Catholic but never understood anything about it, nor did I have the role models to provide me with a strong foundation or teaching of Catholicism. I saw people do unspeakable things to other people, then go to Mass on Sunday and pray for redemption, just to do what they wanted again on Monday. I never understood Lent, why should I give anything up when I was already suffering in my childhood? It did nothing more than to affirm my conviction that when I grew up, I was going to control every thing about my life and the environment of my children and future husband. I learned to not count on anyone, especially not God, yet I could never figure out why I always had a void in my daily life. It took almost 28 years to realize that nothing is ever perfect or completely controlled, even less when you have a significant lack of faith. I did grow up; unbeknownst to me God had my path planned out. I became so blessed to marry a man who loves and embraces Christ, cherishes his family and understands the complete and pure roots of his faith. We have also been blessed to have 4 children. Having an amazing marriage and building relationships with my husband and children awakened something in my heart and put me on a journey to learn and embrace my Catholicism.

I remember Lent 3 years ago, in particular. Life had quickly consumed us, between diaper changes, stacks of laundry, homework and extra curricular activities; my husband called to remind me that we could not eat meat on Fridays, so I should remember that when I fixed meals. I was annoyed at the thought of giving up something when I did not understand the symbolism or sacrifice. But I decided I would make an effort that year and needed to choose what to give up. The obvious were sweets, caffeine, to exercise more and definitely try to fit in more “me” time. They were all superficial things that everyone other good Catholic was doing, but I just could not choose. I just had an empty feeling; there was something major missing. After all, I did have everything in control; our schedules, our meals, the bills, the kids education, our marriage, our faith…Why did I feel like I was failing? I did not like the lack of control I felt in not figuring out something so easy to give up. I was frustrated, then a little angry, then I just didn’t think that I should try to be Catholic anymore.

I remember breaking down and just asking God to give me a sign as to what I should give up. I remember feeling a huge weight lift off of me, it was so clear, everything. Offer everything to God. In that moment, my spiritual life changed. Lent has become so much more than just giving up something that I should probably do with out on a daily basis. Lent is something that I no longer focus on just the 40 days before Easter; I try to live it all year long. It means that daily, I offer up with every fiber of my being to God- my heart, my feelings, and my choices. It means that I have to surrender all control of what I wanted for the things in my life. Especially in my family, I had to have complete trust in my husband in our marriage. I had to have complete trust that the foundation we have built for our children is solid enough for them to make good decisions even when we are not around. It is the realization that I do not “own” my kids, they are gifts from God, merely given to my husband and I to raise and be examples of Christ’s love. Most of all it is living to know. So many times I would say that I hoped God was listening, I hoped God would provide or I hoped God would answer me. It is deeper than that; it is surrendering to my hope and believing in my faith. To know that God will provide and forgive me through all of my imperfections. It means that I no longer fear God, I no longer get angry when I cannot control what He wants for me and I no longer judge His plans for my life. Feeling grateful and understanding the love and sacrifice God and Jesus Christ made for us. That is what Lent means to me. Oh yes, I also do give up something superficial each year as well. This year it is sweets, I finally understand the symbolism of the sacrifice and it is worth it everyday.

Dear God

Dear God,

Please guide me in my wisdom, experiences and truth. I know that you listen and answer, even if it is not what I want to hear, you know what is best for me and you know my souls destiny. I am placing my heart and trust in your hands. I surrender all of my fears, anger and judgement towards my fellow human beings. I will become who you intend for me to be and just by my pure self. My free will is not something I can take for granted, you did give me free will, to choose to do your work. It is not something I have for narcissistic or self-serving attainment. This is the beginning for me to awaken my consciousness and raise my awareness to my true divinity, to the Christ hood that is within me. You are love and light, that is the only energy I will emit and give to others, whether I know them or not. You did give me free will over my choices and to be a steward of your earth. I will care for all of your creations and be an advocate for those who do not have a voice. I will share life and nurture it, I will keep it in balance and be responsible for my actions in which harm or help it. I will own all that I am and all that I think, do or say. I will live each day in the I AM presence, one with you and follow your son, Jesus Christ's example on humanity. For I know that in the end, it will never be about what possessions I have, which places I visited or how many friends I have. In the end, it is merely between you and I. Thank you for being with me.

Your loving Child