Inspired by Scholastica

I have no trouble praying to Mary, the mother of God. But, it took me a while to pray to God as she, as feminine. Yet, I knew God as Sophia, feminine for wisdom, God as a mother watching over her little ones. God, of course, has no gender, but definitely displays the virtues or aspects we usually associate with the feminine.   In Genesis, the poetic imagery depicts God hovering over the huge expanse of space and creating the earth and the heavens. God births the sun, moon and stars, plants, animals and humans. The Hebrew poets took the stories of the pagan gods and transformed them into the story of creation. They eradicated the fertility gods and goddesses and portrayed God as birthing a new creation.   Although the feminine in God was transformed into the sphere of the spirit, it was not destroyed. It became portrayed in allegory and metaphor. The Hebrews spoke of Elohim, which became the mother eagle of Deuteronomy (32:11). Later in the Wisdom literature this holy spirit wa...

One of the most challenging gospels in Scripture is Matthew 25. Jesus tells his disciples about the Last Judgment, when he will say to his followers, “I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was naked and you clothed me,” etc. When they asked in surprise, ”When   did we see you hungry or thirsty or naked?" He answered, “As long as you did it to these least little ones, you did it to me.” Missionary of Jesus Sister Norma Pimentel lives this gospel every day as she works at the Rio Grande border, helping refugees who are fleeing from extreme poverty or violence. As head of Catholic Charities at the border, she and her helpers provide lifesaving assistance for 80 to 120 refugees a day. They give food, clothing, a hot shower and a mat for sleeping to each one, until families or sponsors send passes allowing these displaced persons to continue on to a new home.    Yet, some conservative groups are criticizing Catholic Charities and other agenc...