Updating the Imagery
The all-male heirarchy of the Roman Catholic Church, and many of the church's members, oppose the ordination of women. The argument against it goes that since Jesus was male, and all his apostles, too, then priests were meant to always be men. See Pope John Paul II's apostolic letter on the topic.
In other faith traditions, however, there is a long tradition of women ministers and priests. See history. I had the privilege of attending a retreat with Lutheran women a week ago from St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Spokane, part of The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). This branch of the Lutherans have ordained women since the early 1970s.
It was powerful to witness Pastor Beth Jarrett celebrate the Eucharist, using the sacred words common to several faith traditions. Made me realize that maybe those so opposed to women's ordination have simply never witnessed a woman presiding at a church service. My wish would be they would visit an Episcopalian or ELCA church and see for themselves how natural it appears. Maybe that would expand the imagery. Maybe. One can always hope...
