Dear BLVED, let us pick back up where we left off with John Paul II’s letter to women.
In this section there are 3 main themes JP II talks about that we will dive into.
- The basis of the dignity of women
After going through the long history of humanity, John Paul II says that “the secret of making speedy progress in achieving full respect for women and their identity involves more than simply the condemnation of discrimination and injustices, necessary though this may be. Such respect must first and foremost be won though an effective and intelligent campaign for the promotion of women, concentrating on all areas of women’s life and beginning with a universal recognition of the dignity of women.”(6) He mentions that reason and the word of God are what help us understand and grasp the “anthropological basis of the dignity of women, making it evident as a part of God’s plan for humanity.”(6)
As John Paul II often does, he goes right back to the beginning, with creation. God creates man in His image - this tells us what is distinct about the human being. Then we are told that man was created “male and female” (Gen 1:27). The first man Adam was created but he was alone. “The creation of woman is thus marked from the outset by the principle of help; a help which is not one-sided but mutual. Woman complements man, just as man compliments woman: men and women are complementary. Womanhood expresses the “human” as much as manhood does, but in a different and complementary way.(7) He also mentions that this help, that man is to each other, is not merely acting, but also being.
The request by God to “fill the earth and subdue it” (Gen 1:28) is spoken to both man and woman. “In this task, which is essentially that of culture, man and woman alike share equal responsibility from the start.”(8) The theme of the upcoming conference on women is “Action for Equality, Development and Peace”(8) and John Paul II says that the progress that has happened is largely by the hands of women.
2 Progress
Progress, although usually measured according to science and technology, JP II states that the more important measurement should be that of the social and ethical dimension. “In this area, which often develops in an inconspicuous way beginning with the daily relationships between people, especially within the family, society certainly owes much to the ‘genius of women’”.(9) He goes on to share his appreciation for all those women who have dedicated themselves to education in every such way.
3 Service
Mary as our example of the genius of woman put herself in God’s service and a the service of others. John Paul II calls this “a service of love”(10) “For her, ‘to reign’ is to serve! Her service is ‘to reign’! This is the way in which authority needs to be understood, both in the family and in society and the Church.”(10)
“In this perspective of ‘service’-which, when it is carried out with freedom, reciprocity and love, expresses the truly ‘royal’ nature of mankind- one can also appreciate that the presence of a certain diversity of roles is in no way prejudicial to women, provided that this diversity is not the result of an arbitrary imposition, but is rather an expression of what is specific to being male and female.”(11) Thus women’s role in the church is not the same as all men, which does not detract from their dignity at all. Rather, it tells of the plan of God in the sacramental economy. There is much to be learned from the Gospel that will make clear this point further, but it in no way hinders women from making a big impact in the Church and in the world. JP II mentions St. Catherine of Siena and St. Teresa of Avila who were instrumental in the life of the Church both institutionally and to the individual members during their lifetimes.
John Paul II concludes this letter by again stating his hopes for the upcoming conference on women and says: “Necessary emphasis should be placed on the ‘genius of women’, not only by considering great and famous women of the past or present, but also those ordinary women who reveal the gift of their womanhood by placing themselves at the service of others in their everyday lives. For in giving themselves to others each day women fulfill their deepest vocation. Perhaps more than men, women acknowledge the person, because they see persons with their hearts. They see them independently of various ideological or political systems. They see others in their greatness and limitations; they try to go out to them and help them. In this way the basic plan of the creator takes flesh in the history of humanity and there is constantly revealed, in the variety of vocations, that beauty-not merely physical, but above all spiritual-which God bestowed from the very beginning on all, and in a particular way on women.”(12)
This wraps up our discussion on John Paul II’s Letter to Women. If you liked these ’study’ episodes and would like to see more of them - let me know. And send me a DM, email, or leave a comment if you want to recommend a specific book or writing to study next!