Prongs and Rings
Heterosexuality, under a dominant male view, is about penetration. Thus it maps well to things like electrical plugs and sockets, male and female.
Marriage, however, is about permanence and fidelity, suitably imaged by unending rings, and mapped to things as diverse as religious profession by a nun and the union between Christ and his Body, the church.
Tobias Stanislas Haller BSG
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2 comments:
I recently accepted a call to a church on the east coast (2772 miles from where I was). Our celebration of new ministry is scheduled for later this week. One of the things I'm trying to get across to the congregation is that this is NOT a simple formalization of a contract; but it is, instead, a marriage between priest and people. We will both offer help and comfort in times of prosperity and adversity. And if we each look upon this relationship as a marriage and not a contract, I think we will all be better off.
Thanks Ref✠.
I am not sure if it was ever true of parish priests, but bishops used to (and some still do I'm sure) take the name of their diocese as a surname when they are "wed" to it --- with a ring, no less! Approaching ministry as covenant rather than contract is a good idea. All the best in your work with the people of God...
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