Editor note: Global Sisters Report presents When leaving breada series of Sunday reflections that enter us to the path of Emaus.
Although there is a lot to make gender equality a reality in all parts of the world, great advances have been made and, there are few places – legally – venated for women. I say ‘legally’ because in the ‘imaginary’ – which are more difficult to change – many prejudices and limitations still persist. But an aspect that, perhaps, has not worked sufficiently is motherhood as a possibility that only women and not men have, hence it is defended that this feature is their own and, in that, its greater contribution to society and the Church.
In that sense, in several parts of the world, the fact of being mothers in May is celebrated. Let’s reflect on some aspects of motherhood. Physiologically, women have adequate reproductive organs to carry it forward. However, as in all human aspects, neither all women can be mothers for some physiological reason nor all become, either to choose a celibate lifestyle or because they did not specify an affective relationship in their fertile time or by option , reason that is invoked more lately.
“Maternity is much more than the biological and although this month of Mother’s Day (we appreciate) their reveals, it is important to remember that being a mother is a very difficult task that cannot be improvised”: Consuelo Vélez, secular theologian
By this I mean that, immensely valuing the fact of being bearers of life, not necessarily all women are, hence the contribution of women in relation to their maternity is not ‘universally’ valid.
It is true that many are. However, the fact of physiologically have the possibility of being carriers of life, does they make ‘good’ mothers? Does they enhance them in a ‘innate’ to be mothers of that new creature? I dare to answer no, because motherhood with all that this implies to love a new being, to help him develop from what that baby is and wants, to give enough wings to display all his potentialities, to love him With generosity, without selfishness, without asking for anything in return, etc., it is not something innate that arises from physically giving birth. On the contrary, that reality demands learning, a permanent review, a display to grow, to confront itself, to be corrected, to be considered on the way to the development of true love towards another person, in this case of that being that managed to develop in its belly .
And with all the above I want to draw two conclusions. The first is to remember that motherhood is much more than the biological and that is why, this month, mothers day is celebrated – and arise with so much spontaneity and affection to celebrate them and thank them for their reveals and delivery – it is important to remember that being a mother is A very difficult task that cannot be improvised. Unfortunately, there are too many selfish mothers who practically monopolize their children for their own needs. There are so many who see their company in them, the realization of what they could not be, the almost ‘objects’ in whom they discharge their frustrations, fears and demands. There is no lack of those who take their children as an object of revenge against their partners – this also happens a lot in men and we have attended very painful cases of men who kill their own children to take revenge on their women. But there is no lack of mothers who prevent children from growing with their parents and deprive them of many opportunities to punish their partner. This of being mothers in the image ‘of maternal/paternal love that God reveals to us’ (Is 49, 15-17), is not easy and should repeat it so that the gift of motherhood gives the fruits we expect and is easier to engender A society of brothers and so much we need.
“Not even this physiological aspect of motherhood is so typical of women that make them so different from men. All human beings are called to love with the same love of God”: Consuelo Vélez, secular theologian
The second conclusion is that even this physiological aspect of motherhood is so typical of women that make them so different from men. All human beings are called to love with the same love of God, that love of which Isaiah’s quote speaks when God himself recognizes that, although a mother can forget the son of his entrails, God does not forget. That is, who lives the values of the kingdom – be a woman or male – is called to live the unconditional love of God himself with all the beings around him. This is not a matter of women or men. It is a matter of humanity.
Let’s go back with gender equality. Women will only contribute the love that engenders life – and lets it develop without selfishness or demands for themselves – if they learn to be mothers reviewing their own selfishness and limitations and seeking to grow every day in the learning of that total love and without reserve. But not only they are called to live it. Men, because they are the image and likeness of God, can also live that unconditional love – and in fact there are men who live their paternity with that high measure – although physiologically they do not load the baby they engendered in their bosom. It is worth remembering that tenderness, welcome, care, protection are not values by nature, but are also male and we see them more explicit in men.
“Women will only contribute the love that engenders life – and lets her develop without selfishness or demands for themselves – if they learn to be mothers reviewing their own selfishness and limitations and seeking to grow every day”: Consuelo Vélez
These are times of gender equality, but they are also times to continue in the learning of love that builds a more human, more fraternal and sororal world. Neither all responsibility belongs to women – it is also of men and to the same extent – neither women know how to do it innate, essential, natural. It is evident that there is no maternal instinct, but all the good that is supposed to occur, women also have to learn, just like men have to learn.
Of course, let’s celebrate in this month of May the love of so many mothers who have known how to live a generous love and delivered by their children. Much to thank and much to recognize. But, let’s become aware of the much to learn. In this last sense, if the young women will be helped not to ‘idealize’ that characteristic of being mothers, but they were shown the responsibility of Place of loving as they would be expected to do so, they only fill the world with more pain and selfishness, not knowing how to love or their own children.
Let’s not forget that the unconditional love of our God is a call for women and men who, in their image and likeness, are called to live it and transparent it. It is no more who has the physical conditions to carry a new life or less who only engenders it. Nor who do not have children for whatever reason. All human beings, with their own conditions, can testify to God’s love project on humanity, with the wealth, particularity and plurality that absolutely every human being has.
