What is the Feminine Genius?
In today’s culture, we find massive confusion over the term “gender;” as you have probably noticed chaos, angst, and despair often circle the question “What is a woman"? or “What is a man?”
Take heart friends, the Scripture consoles our weary souls in times like these. In Sunday’s Gospel we read Christ’s words, And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows him. But you know him, because he remains with you, and will be in you. (John 14:16-17)
Can I get an Amen!? We are not alone! We have the Holy Spirit to humbly guide our hearts and minds to know the truth and speak the truth, always. Every day we are presented with the opportunity to share the Spirit of Truth with those we encounter especially in these difficult topics where the world seems to be cloaked in darkness.
A conversation about gender never has to be an argument, rather it is a gentle and humble sharing of the truth of God’s design. What a gift to boldly proclaim how wondrously He made each one of us!
As we continue to explore “the feminine”, we will examine the “feminine genius.” Over the past few decades, the Church has used this phrase to refer to the unique gifts bestowed upon the feminine by her Creator—sensitivity, generosity, receptivity, and maternity. .
To examine these feminine gifts, I will share the wise words of Edith Stein, St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross.
Sensitivity: “Women understand not merely with their mind, but also with their heart.” God created a woman with the ability to see through the lens of her heart. She has an extraordinary gift of intuitively sensing the wounds and needs of others.
Generosity: “Women naturally seek to embrace that which is living, personal, and whole.” God created a woman with an inherent ability to heal another by sharing her heart. She does this by pouring the true, good, and beautiful from within herself into the souls of those in her heart’s embrace.
Receptivity: “A woman’s soul is fashioned as a shelter in which other souls may unfold.” A woman is created to receive another with the heart of Christ. She selflessly makes room within herself for another to flourish.
Maternity: “To cherish, guard, protect, nourish, and advance growth is a woman’s natural maternal yearning.”A woman is created to be a mother. Whether spiritual, adoptive, or biological, a woman’s heart is created to cherish, guard, protect, and nourish human life. She is the passage through which all human life moves!
Whether you are a parent of a boy OR a girl, take time today with your child to read through this week’s Pray, Grow, and Serve or the Feminine Genius LIFE focus guide. Finding peace amid today’s “gender confusion” is done by joyfully celebrating God’s design for male and female. Don’t put off these conversations! You are your child’s most important teacher. If you have questions, send us a message, and we will connect you with resources that can help. God isn’t afraid of your questions; His truth is perfect—seek it and rest in His peace. Come Holy Spirit!
