Thursday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
(Genesis 2:18-25; Mark 7:24-30)
Today’s first reading is part of the second creation account in Genesis. In the first account God creates man and woman at the same instant. No distinction, except perhaps that the man is mentioned first, is made between the two. Both are said to be created in the image of God. In the second account the man is created first from dust. After him, God creates all the other animals in an attempt to find a suitable partner for the man. As a final effort, God creates the woman from a rib taken from the man’s side.
Some feminists have objected to this second creation account as sexist. They point out that because the man is created first, he enjoys a priority of status. More offensive still is the way the woman is created -- from a single bone taken from the man’s side as if she were just a subsidiary being. However, strong counterarguments can be made. First, the woman is at least created from another human being where man’s material component is dirt. Second, the woman is presumably made a complete form whereas the man, having a rib removed, is left incomplete. Third, the man gives his partner a certain priority as he names her “woman” (in Hebrew “’ishah”) before he names himself (‘ish; the difference between 'adam and ‘ish is the difference between generic "man" and male). Indeed, he can name himself only because the woman stands before him as someone both similar and different.
Women have been called “the second sex.” From the viewpoint of Genesis’ second creation account this term accurately indicates the chronological appearance of women in history. It does not, however, indicate any moral or existential priority. In Genesis’ eyes, women and men are equal in dignity and are made to assist one another. Together they might appreciate the rest of God’s creation better. Together they might walk humbly before their Creator in peace.
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