So many have told me, "I
accepted only the wisdom
That we were taught in the
Baltimore Catechism."
The
worst part of the experience is that we were treated as fools;
Because
we were so innocent, we believed in the rules.
My parents taught us that it was the spirit of the faith
That
guided the actions of the whole human race.
How
horrible it must have been for my parents to see
That
their faith and Christianity would never agree.
Every
bishop's letter read in the church of my childhood
Was
thought to be God's word on evil and good.
We
weren't even permitted to read the bible verse.
Was
it that we may see that these rules were perverse?
I was brainwashed, even before
my birth, to feel shame.
How can a newborn baby be held, for
sin, to blame?
Here
I am, as an adult, who spent my life in remorse,
Believing
that I needed priests to control my life's course.
How can they teach us that we are
sinners before birth,
And still preach that their Christ
redeemed the whole universe?
I will no longer accept that my ancestors gave to me
The
sins of their ancestors; by their savior, they were freed.
It
matters not if I believe Jesus was full Divinity;
He
certainly had more Holy Spirit than what was given to me.
I
wish I knew more about his mother's life on earth;
Perhaps
it would give my mothering spirit a rebirth.
And
what of her poor Joseph, who could hardly protect her
From
the cross she would bear, as many would reject her?
To
be the guardians of such a great spiritual force
Surely
would have lead many couples to divorce.
Along
the way they were given many choices;
They
chose not to ignore their own spiritual voices.
Did
Jesus really attend rabbinical school
And
did his earthly father teach him about tools?
Where
are the stories of how to successfully parent
The
souls that a special powerful Spirit were sent?
To
know when to hold on and when to allow freedom
Helping
mold the adults that they will become.
And
where are the accounts of the tender moments
That
surely Mary and Joseph had to have spent?
Did
they know his mission or worry incessantly
About
the special person that was their baby?
These
are the parenting stories I wish I knew
How
did Jesus's parents make it through?
How
did they handle their own empty nest
Did knowing
his mission make it hurt any less?
