"brides Of Christ"

[krissylou]

Actually talking about "spiritual motherhood" weirds me out. I'm not sure why.

I mean, when I hear a Sister talk about "well, if I had a family then the majority of my time and love would be focused on them. Which is as it should be. But by forgoing a husband and children of my own, that frees me up to love and serve the whole world" -- I get that. No problem. Clear as crystal. Absolutely beautiful.

When I hear a Sister talk about "spiritual motherhood" somehow my hackles instantly go up. Even though I know it's the same concept.

[Lilllabettt]

Our Lady is the spouse of the Holy Spirit. In marriage a person is set apart exclusively for his/her spouse. When you take religious vows, you set yourself apart exclusively for God. So that is where the bridal imagery comes in. Many religious wear wedding rings. Their hearts are undivided, given exclusively to God.

In fact, the original form of consecrated life, consecrated virginity, is explicitly spousal.Vowed religious life is, comparatively speaking, an innovation. While the vows do not explicitly use the language of espousal, it is easy to see how this newer form of consecrated life was naturally imbued with bridal imagery from the original form.

Our civilization is so hyper-sexual, it is sometimes difficult to appreciate the concept of marriage or motherhood apart from its physical aspect.

[Chapel Rat]

[quote name='krissylou' timestamp='1291415751' post='2190801']
Actually talking about "spiritual motherhood" weirds me out. I'm not sure why.

I mean, when I hear a Sister talk about "well, if I had a family then the majority of my time and love would be focused on them. Which is as it should be. But by forgoing a husband and children of my own, that frees me up to love and serve the whole world" -- I get that. No problem. Clear as crystal. Absolutely beautiful.

When I hear a Sister talk about "spiritual motherhood" somehow my hackles instantly go up. Even though I know it's the same concept.




[/quote]


Now that I think about it, even the term "spiritual motherhood" in itself does sound like an oxymoron. HB you're right it's similar and dissimilar at the same time.

In the secular sense, elementary education teachers embody and reflect spiritual motherhood, which is why I think a male wanting to be let's say a kindergarten teacher can be difficult to accept for some.
At the heart of the matter it is a mystery and I must admit I don't truly "get it." Why God would call me to even *discern* being a nun (a cloistered to boot)..........is even a bigger mystery to me.

[vee]

My random rambling two cents on spiritual motherhood.

We all had parents or guardians who physically fed us, clothed us, educated us and so on plus a mom who gave birth to us. All of that took a lot of hard work on their behalf. Pain, worry, sleepless nights, tears etc physical motherhood demands all and the same thing goes for being a spiritual mother too, whom we all have as well Im certain. In this life we may know of someone in particular who by their prayers and sufferings we owe much to spiritually, and if we dont think of anyone I guess we find out who they are in the next life but there is at least one person like that for each of us. At the same time we each are responsible spiritually for who knows how many souls. These are our spiritual children who will grow thanks to our prayers, sacrifices, and sufferings. Like physical motherhood this too demands all physically, emotionally, spiritually. Think of all the parents who work so hard, forgoing nice things for themselves so their kids might have better, its same thing spiritually IMO. This is not something we do ourselves either it is through , with, and in God holding nothing back as Christ held nothing back this then bears much fruit. Unlike physical parents who get to see their kids walk, talk, and smile most spiritual parents dont get to see the fruits of their labor until they get to heaven. If most dont get to see the results in this life that means there are some who do and I feel really sorry for anyone who might be my spiritual mother or father and who has the misfortune of meeting me in this life 'cus Im sure they'd ask God for a refund or something!!! She's my (spiritual) kid?!?!?!? Why must you punish me O Lord!!!!!

[Sister Marie]

As a religious sister, I find the term "Bride of Christ" difficult as well. However, I think the real reason I have a problem with it has nothing to do with the spousal relationship but with the connotation of the word bride in our modern culture. The word bride evokes for me a lot of images of silly, giddy, girly fun and romance and idealism. To me all of that is really the opposite of a spousal relationship. Religious life is hard. It requires sacrifice, penance, hard work, humility, selflessness, determination, and a love that is willing to go deep into the places where love doesn't exist - both in our souls and in the world. It requires so much more than the image of a wedding dress and flowers. Please know, I am not saying it isn't a valid image. I'm just explaining why I don't like it. I also don't think that sisters who really do love the image of the bride like it because it evokes images of "silly, giddy..." but because for them, those words do express the reality of religious life.

I find myself more attracted to being the spouse of Christ. For me, spouse has a connotation that is more in line with the description of religious life I just gave. It is about the commitment to give oneself to Christ without counting th cost.

I wear a habit but I do not consider it my wedding dress either. First, I consider it to be a witness to others of the relationship with Christ that all people are called to. Second, I would definitely more readily call it armor, than a wedding dress. I mean... this habit does definite battle. [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/nunpray.gif[/img] I hope that doesn't sound less reverent than it should, because my habit is blessed and I cherish it. It is both a garment that protects me from the evil one and hopefully a garment that guides and reminds others of Christ.

My ring is very much a wedding ring, and it is engraved on the inside of the band with the words, "Ego te sponsabo." To you I am espoused. That is really truly the heart of it all for me. It doesn't matter if you call it bride, spouse, friend, lover... those words really sum it all up.

[deusluxmea]

Why is it "Bride of Christ" and not "wife of Christ"? One is only a bride for a few hours