Barren

In ancient times (and even in some places today), a woman who had no children was thought to be cursed and to be of lesser value (to put it mildly) than a woman who had borne children.

Today’s readings tell us of two childless women of ancient times who were childless. One of them was “advanced in years” and lived in what she herself called “disgrace”.

God, however, would bless each of these women with a son – and extraordinary men they would be.

One would be a legendary defender of Israel whose name is associated with great strength even today: Sampson (Judges 13:2-7,24-25a).

As for the other, our Lord himself said that no man born of woman was greater than he: John the Baptist (Luke 1:5-25).

In “modern” society today, no one speaks openly of an involuntarily childless woman disparagingly as “barren”, but it is hard to say that this has been associated with a general improvement in society’s approach to infertility.

Quite the contrary, those who are involuntarily infertile are tempted to try immoral methods, including the artificial conception of multiple human embryos (most of whom are doomed to death and even scientific experimentation).

Meanwhile, much of society encourages people to render themselves infertile, temporarily or permanently, either for selfish purposes or for specious reasons (that are often just a front for nihilism or genocide).

Of course, this same society denounces and ridicules anyone who freely chooses to renounce sexual activity and childbearing for the sake of the Kingdom of God.

One might say that such a society, which encourages immorality and infertility and denounces the spiritual fertility of celibacy, is itself barren.

Children should be seen as gifts from God: not as a “must have” possession or a cure for self-esteem issues, nor should they be seen as a burden on our lives or even a burden for life on this planet.

With the help of God every child will be a net benefit to that child’s parents and family and also to the world.

May you and I shun the barren ways of this world and – married, celibate, or single; childless or childrearing – may you and I be instruments by which the grace of God is fruitful and multiplies in this darkening world.