“I speak in reference to Christ and the Church.”

Paul finally says this after he presents as an analogy the relationship between wife and husband. Yes, love and respect one another.  But Subservient? No. Not to be less than but equal. But yes, being there for each other out of love. Even needing to sacrifice sometimes for the other. Not blind obedience. To obey is to listen respectfully to each other.

I think it was unfortunate that Paul missed the opportunity to walk with Jesus before he died when Jesus was clear in saying I no longer call you slaves but friends. It seems he missed how Jesus raised women up recognizing their dignity in a patriarchal culture. He made counter-cultural efforts to bring about equality, raising up the lowly and caring for women and children. 

Jesus would establish a church by sending his Spirit to guide and enlighten. I believe Jesus’s vision is a church to be a witness to living in right relationships. Jesus came to reveal the love of God to and for us. He did empty himself, becoming human, and gave his life for our sake.

I believe the vision of church as the people of God is to be a Church that Pope Francis promotes as Synodality.  Relationships bound in love, respect, and reverence for one another and to share in the leadership, enter into conversation, respectful listening, and participate in decision making regardless of race, culture, or gender identity. When Pope Francis celebrated the opening Mass for the Synod on Synodality he said, Let us not soundproof our hearts; let us not remain barricaded in our certainties. So often our certainties can make us closed. Let us listen to one another.

Paul says, this is all a great mystery. We live in great mystery. In the depth of this mystery can we imagine the reign of God realized in a Church that expands like the mustard seed or a batch of dough?  Rich in diversity and all nourished through the Eucharist? People living, loving, caring peacefully in unity, equally, and wanting for nothing? This is our invitation. Like St. Paul, let the Spirit knock us off our horses, open our eyes and ears to build a new WORLD into being—a whole living Body of Christ.  Each of us bringing unique gifts for the fulfillment of the Reign of God.

Blessed are you God of the universe,
you have revealed to us
through WORD, and SPIRIT
the mysteries of your PRESENCE.