I grew-up with the Catholic tradition. It provided me a strong base in understanding spirit, Bible and tradition.
I do relish my Catholic upbringing. Now, however, I want to somehow be more inclusive. Those who continue to practice Catholicism, please understand that I yearn to include you as my journey continues, I do not want to exclude you. Those of you who practice the Christian faith, please know that my faith journey includes my past -- it carries me forward as I work to grow in spirit and faith.
A recent reflection written by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway helps explain what I'm awkwardly trying to share:
Everything is Male & Female In Nature
... you can't have day without night, you can't have man without woman, or masuline without feminine...
From the highest place of knowing, we do not have to assign a gender to the divine and we do not have to put a name and face on energy so sacred. But in our lives as human beings, with human personalities and beliefs, I truly believe that considering both God and Goddess helps us identify the dual (and multifaceted) nature of divinity...
We are all children of God and Goddess, All There Is, and we are all feminine and masculine in nature. As above, so below. It is in acknowledging that these qualities exist in all of us that we begin to create and find balance in our relationship to ourselves, to one another, and in the world we live in...
It never was "just a male world", we must continue to grow in bringing all elements together -- feminine alongside, along with masculine.
Yes, Lent is a Christian Tradition... With our year's cycle, it continues to make sense to me. Before transport brought food to us so readily, this time of year required monitoring the pantry closely -- not taking anything for granted -- anxiously waiting for the weather to break, so that we could venture out and meet our basic needs.
I promise to monitor thoughtfully -- to count my blessings. My daily needs will be met. This is a treasured time to remind me that simplicity is possible.