GOSPEL MESSAGE & RECORDING
In the Book of Genesis 3:16 God puts a burden upon women that they would henceforth give birth in pain and suffering: “I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; in pain you shall bring forth children.” This punishment that is directed toward women was a consequence of Eve’s sin. So, for generations after Eve woman had to undergo a great deal of pain when giving birth. It should be duly noted that man also had to suffer by toiling the earth for food and sustenance. Therefore, both Adam and Eve had to suffer. It was not a one-sided punishment—both man and woman were both punished.
Ironically, or maybe more so providentially, in John 3:16 it says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish, but will have everlasting life.” Here, John is saying that God gave His Son to us so that we would have a chance to be redeemed and brought into “right” relationship with Him, that relationship that was deeply wounded through the sin of Adam and Eve. That sin, which brought woman the pain of childbearing, was now a medium for the redemption of humankind.
The Apostle Paul says in 1 Timothy 2: 15, “Nevertheless she will be saved through childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.” Here we see St. Paul saying that childbearing can be a way for women, and also for all of humankind to be saved. I imply that this means men also because it is only through the woman that man can be born. Again, the punishment for sin was for both man and woman, so also, the redemption of sins was equally for man and woman. The redemption comes by way of childbirth because it was through the pain of childbearing that the Only Begotten Son of God came into the world. Again, the punishment was the pain of childbearing, but redemption came also by way of childbirth. (Similar comparisons can be made with the tree in the Garden of Eden and the Tree (Cross) that Christ was crucified on. One brought forth sin, the other redemption.) What we learn here is that even though the sin of Eve brought forth the pain of childbearing, St. Mary was able to use that pain to bring forth the Son of God. Interestingly, the pain of childbearing was not removed from the Mother of God in order to give birth to the Son of God, but rather, she went through the same pain as Eve (I speak in general terms); but through her pain, she brought into this world, redemption, salvation, and love in our Lord Jesus Christ. That is why St. Paul says, “through,” because she had to endure the pain in order to cancel its power, just like Christ had to endure his pain and suffering in order to secure salvation for humankind and cancel the power of Satan.
So, then what does this mean for us believers of Christ?
We cannot escape the reality that life has circumstances that bring suffering and pain. Although we might want this pain to leave, and leave immediately, God, in His own providence, does not remove the pain but allows us to go through it. We might pray earnestly for the pain to leave, but maybe what we need to pray for instead is the strength to go through it.
St. Mary and St. Elizabeth, both of whom we commemorate today, lived a life of blessing, but that blessing came with a price. Although they are highly esteemed women saints of the Church, they had to go through many trials and afflictions. Yet, they endured, and because they did, they were able to witness the Kingdom of God.
We might be having a difficult time in our marriage. Or, maybe, we are having a tough time with our career, or lack thereof. Maybe we are struggling with an illness or disease that has turned our world upside-down. It may be possible that our children are going through difficulties of various kinds. We might be experiencing mental agony, sorrow, or depression. Whatever we are going through, remember, it is only by going through it that we can truly experience the work of God. In other words, there is no light without first going through the darkness. There is no mountaintop without first walking through the valley. There is no victory without struggle. There is no love without sacrifice. Finally, there is no gain without loss.
During these challenging times that we are living in, remember always, that as Christians we are not to be afraid or wary, thinking that God has abandoned us because we are dealing with a pandemic, social unrest, or economic uncertainty; because, just as God used what was first punishment for woman and then turned it around to bring redemption, so also, God will use the pain and suffering in these times to eventually bring about the glory of His Kingdom.