Today, we read a little bit of the book of Ezra. Ezra was a great Jewish Scribe, the founder of Judaism.
After 50 years of exile in Babylon, some Israelites had settled and prospered there. Therefore, when Cyrus the Persian King decreed that the Israelites returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple, many Israelites were not too enthusiastic about the whole idea. Nevertheless, some did return and found the land depressively desolate. Naturally, they thought of rebuilding their own houses instead of rebuilding the house of God. Haggai the prophet was furious and scolded them. So, they started working on the rebuilding project. The Samaritans in the north intended to participate. But they were rejected by the local Israelites. Therefore, the Samaritans bad mouthed them before the Persian governor who disrupted the rebuilding project. Then Nehemiah and Ezra came forth so that the project would proceed. Moreover, they were able to secure the support of Darius, the Persian king to pay for all the costs from the royal coffers. The king also decreed that anybody disrupting the project was punishable by death.
Also I make a decree that if any one alters this edict, a beam shall be pulled out of his house, and he shall be impaled upon it, and his house shall be made a dunghill.
May the God who has caused his name to dwell there overthrow any king or people that shall put forth a hand to alter this, or to destroy this house of God which is in Jerusalem. I Darius make a decree; let it be done with all diligence (Ezra 6:11-12)
The Second Temple in Jerusalem was finally built. Of course, it was no comparison with the legendary Solomon Temple. A new phase of Jewish life had begun. It was the contribution of Ezra the Scribe.
After 50 years of exile in Babylon, some Israelites had settled and prospered there. Therefore, when Cyrus the Persian King decreed that the Israelites returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple, many Israelites were not too enthusiastic about the whole idea. Nevertheless, some did return and found the land depressively desolate. Naturally, they thought of rebuilding their own houses instead of rebuilding the house of God. Haggai the prophet was furious and scolded them. So, they started working on the rebuilding project. The Samaritans in the north intended to participate. But they were rejected by the local Israelites. Therefore, the Samaritans bad mouthed them before the Persian governor who disrupted the rebuilding project. Then Nehemiah and Ezra came forth so that the project would proceed. Moreover, they were able to secure the support of Darius, the Persian king to pay for all the costs from the royal coffers. The king also decreed that anybody disrupting the project was punishable by death.
Also I make a decree that if any one alters this edict, a beam shall be pulled out of his house, and he shall be impaled upon it, and his house shall be made a dunghill.
May the God who has caused his name to dwell there overthrow any king or people that shall put forth a hand to alter this, or to destroy this house of God which is in Jerusalem. I Darius make a decree; let it be done with all diligence (Ezra 6:11-12)
The Second Temple in Jerusalem was finally built. Of course, it was no comparison with the legendary Solomon Temple. A new phase of Jewish life had begun. It was the contribution of Ezra the Scribe.
On Tuesday evenings, we are still studying Moral Theology under Fr. Robert Ng, S.J. He was talking about the nine trends of Moral Theology that he observed in the post-Vatican II era. One of these trends was dialogues with people from different classes and religions. Among them, Fr. Ng mentioned the feminine theologians in particular. He lamented that the Catholic Church had been very patriarchic and thus legalistic. It was because the Church had been dominated by man theologians, such as St. Thomas Aquinas. After Vatican II, more and more women studied theology and many of them have been very successful and outstanding. They added another perspective in theological reasoning. Fr. Ng quoted the example of abortion.
Abortion is the killing of an innocent life. Therefore, the Catholic Church condemns it and punishes those involved in abortions with excommunication. Fr. Ng. lamented that the approach was too rational and legalistic, like Darius' decree mentioned above. Anybody not following the decree was punishable by death/excommunication. In reality, people would find ways to cheat or bypass the decree. Therefore, the whole purpose was defeated. Men are from Mars. They are too logical and aggressive, attacking anybody who does not toe the party line. However, the approach is not effective. Therefore, let us listen to what woman theologians have to say about the abortion topic.
According to Fr. Ng, he had read a woman theologian writing about the abortion topic. She said that if we wanted women to give up the abortion option, you had to appeal to their mother instinct, rather than scaring them with the fire of hell. During their pregnancy, mothers should look at beautiful baby posters more often. Then, they would not choose abortion.
Fr. Ng could not hide his admiration for woman theologians in his talk. In his three decades of teaching in theology, his best students are women. He even belittled his own writings as dry and lacked lustre. The writings of woman theologians glowed with an aura.
According to Fr. Ng, he had read a woman theologian writing about the abortion topic. She said that if we wanted women to give up the abortion option, you had to appeal to their mother instinct, rather than scaring them with the fire of hell. During their pregnancy, mothers should look at beautiful baby posters more often. Then, they would not choose abortion.
Fr. Ng could not hide his admiration for woman theologians in his talk. In his three decades of teaching in theology, his best students are women. He even belittled his own writings as dry and lacked lustre. The writings of woman theologians glowed with an aura.
Dear Lord, I pray that I can keep an open mind to engage in dialogues. If I feel unappreciated, they may feel the same. Lord, help me rid of my prejudice against my neighbours. Amen.
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