What does in god’s image mean to someone like you and me? … Taught from early on that I am created in the image and likeness of god, and every mirror reveals a curvy, dancing, beautiful, woman’s body and being. Yep, definitely a she.
It was my mother who taught me to listen with my own ears and pay attention, to look and see with my own eyes, and use my common sense. .. to think for myself…
Vatican II brought lots of changes for those in the pews: Priests started facing their congregation instead of presenting their backside; Mass was spoken in English instead of Latin–our spoken language–so we could understand and read along with the words; Bible reading was encouraged; music changed and guitars and folk music were added; and the one that upset my grandmother the most: women were allowed on the altar–as lectors, servers, and Eucharistic ministers! Unheard of… scandalous!
And I heard my mother say to her mother, “Who do you think was the first person to hold the real body of Christ? It was no man!” There is arguably nothing more powerful than a mother’s voice and words.
These were thunder bolts that opened ears, eyes, and flood gates for me; and unlocked ancient chambers inside. My world shifted: Permission granted to read between lines and really hear and see a story happening in real life. I have ever since. I pay attention to words, readings, lyrics, and trust my instincts.
In that defining moment, my mother was taking a stand that differed from her own mother’s. She was daring to speak from her own knowing! About god stuff…
She, too, somewhere had to answer that question, “Who do you think you are?” and own a solid enough answer. I forget that my mother was in a convent before she chose a family life…
We are told to believe and think and discount a lot of things…including our divinely given body, mind, spirit, eyes, ears, brain, feelings, imagination, dreams, visions, soul, experiences…in the name of what? Why? Not to trust our self? our knowing? …
Blessings and much love, my beautiful ones. – Anne