4. Born for this

I went to a gathering today
Ran into a woman I’ve known for a while
We’ve never been close,
But I always enjoy her company,
So I sat next to her at the table.

At the break another woman asked me–
If I have been praying for a husband or for a good convent?
Maybe she read bewilderment across my face
She turned to a different conversation,
And I turned to my friend at the table.

“I get annoyed with Catholicmatch,” my friend said, bluntly,
“Life, if you live thirty minutes away from me,
“Why are we still emailing?”

I laughed and she continued.
“Take me to coffee, like me or leave me,
“And move on.”

***

I find honest women delightful.
Of course, I also love gentle women
And those who tend towards the soft-spoken
For the church needs quiet companions
In her ranks.

But, my heart loves the freedom
Of the boldness of a woman
Rooted in a God who empowers her to
Speak her mind.

The St. Teresa of Avila, thrown from a carriage, chided God,
“If this is how you treat your friends, no wonder why you have so few!”

The St. Catherine of Sienna,
Writing to the Pope, telling him he needed to pull things together.

The St. Joan of Arc, tiny but stalwart,
“I am not afraid. I was born for this.”

And you.
And your words.

For me.
And the church.