Contrary to what many critics say, the Bible contains vivid female images to represent the dimensions of divine life. Because it was created in the image and likeness of God, there are clearly divine dynamics and processes that can only be seen in women.
Among the biblical analogies, my favorite is galatians 4. 19: “My beloved children, I once again suffer as pains of work for you, and this until Christ is formed in you. “The uterus and contractions illustrate and point to the generation of children in faith. The pains of a pregnant mother refer to the sufferings of Christ’s formation in the lives of our beloved children/disciples.
- But wasn’t this work pain a consequence of sin.
- Isn’t it a trial for women?Yes! But God’s judgment has always come gracefully; justice and mercy always go hand in hand in God’s action with his people.
The woman would have trouble giving birth, but she would still have children! This is not natural, because once they had disobeyed God, the logical consequence was death, and in his immense grace, in addition to not dying, God allowed us to continue. to bear fruit.
I know that even today, many women, for different reasons, cannot give birth, it was the drama of several biblical characters. That is why, once again, Paul’s words are inspiring. The biological principle of birth indicates the much more complete dynamics of the generation of children in the faith. The blood family has given way to the alliance family and the infertile woman can give. birth of children!
In these days of the mother, look at motherhood with other eyes, see the pains necessary for the process of formation of Christ in us, not only will we learn that the Church is full of mothers of children in the faith, but we can also find in motherhood the paradigm of our evangelical work.