Honoring Women and the Theotokos
Today is the Feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, the Mother of God, the New Eve. From her, God received flesh and became a man. From her, we have received our salvation. Thus, we pray, “Most Holy Theotokos, save us!” She isn’t our savior, but she gave birth to our savior. That makes her (in my opinion) second best thing. Without her, God would not have had flesh through which He saved us.
Your birth, O Theotokos, brought joy to the whole world, for from you dawned the sun of righteousness, Christ our God. Freeing us from the curse, He gave us His blessings. Abolishing death, He granted us eternal life. – Apolytikion of the Feast
In the light of her greatness, even the Holy Scriptures teach us to honor her, “All generations will call me blessed.” (Luke 1.48) How can those who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord, the One who honored her as “The Bearer of God – The Theotokos” ever consider women to be second class citizens? How can any true believer treat women as anything less than honorable? She stood firm as a woman in a world in which women were seen and not heard, yet she said to wine stewards, “Do whatever He tells you.” (John 2.5) The Most Holy Theotokos is a witness to the honor given to women by God, and we should take note.
In her greatness, she also taught us humility. “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1.38) In the face of hearing of her greatness, her response was humility over pride. If only we could act with such love and devotion to God!
May the Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos, intercede for us today, and every day…..and may we honor her love and devotion with imitation, offering God to use us for His glory. May we remember that all women should be treated with dignity, as those who give us life. “For as woman came from man, even so man also comes through woman; but all things are from God.” (1st Corinthians 11.12)
Tags: