Where is the bride...?

Like most, I've followed the story about Abp. Neiderauer giving Holy Communion to the men in drag, but I've seen no need to blog here, where we stick to the theme of femininity. Blasphemy is all-too-common, same-sex attraction disorder an intention that should ever be in our prayers, and the difficulties of exercising authority something that must be far harder than it looks. But Diogenes has commented in a way that deposits it in the lap of all women who struggle to be authentic icons of the bride:

One might think gay-friendly moderates would cringe at the flamboyance of the drag-queen activism and the belligerence of the Sister Edith sacrilege, but in fact the reproaches come exclusively from the conservative side of the aisle, while the progressivists seem unable to grasp what all the fuss is about. Some have hesitantly conceded that the Sister Act was "inappropriate" -- as if the dispute hinged on the etiquette of church-going -- but the general liberal consensus seems to be that anything that antagonizes the Catholic League must be on the right track and worthy of defense. [My bold]

Here we are, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears. Each of us, over coffee, would share her struggles -- physical, reproductive, parental, spousal, financial, theological. Like the Church, we suffer assaults from all angles, and yet, with Mary, it is left to us to remain faithfully at the foot of the Cross. En route to His final, consummate gift of Self, Jesus turned to a cluster of women -- women like us -- and noticed the tears. He notices still, and receives them as a collaboration with his heartfelt concern for all souls. He had received them before He set out on that path, from the contrite heart of the Magdalen, who showed us best what to do with those tears.

The bride is on Calvary next to the Bridegroom. We cannot parse the insults hurled at Him from every direction -- especially when one comment contradicts the next, and they tumble in disarray and confusion. Such is the heart of darkness. Just be faithful. Be the bride, faithful til death.

Comments

[Alexa]

Thanks, Genevieve, I needed this!

[wendy]

I always loved that line in the Talmud too, "God counts the tears of women" : )