Can I be real with all of you?
A fear in my single woman, subconscious mind is being infertile. Of course I won't know until I get married one day, if the Lord wills it. While worrying about it as a single woman may seem irrelevant to some of you, I think it's actually very much tied to being a woman and so very normal.
Not too long ago, I was listening to a recording where Venerable Fulton Sheen explained how woman's biggest fear is living without having given life, and sisters . . . I felt deeply validated in my fears. I used to work as a missionary at a non-profit that provided housing and support for pregnant women, and I would love on pregnant mommas and their babies every single day.
I would be lying to you if some days I didn't feel the baby fever and wish that I could be a mom, too, like right now!
Most times I am quick to boot out fears from my head and heart, but this one, this one I embrace. I kiss my cross like a sweet gift. This deep desire to bear life helps me reflect with my heart on today's Gospel as I consider Saint Elizabeth's fertility struggle with being barren before she conceived Saint John the Baptist. Oh the pain and heartache she must have felt! And then the Blessed Mother also receives the gift of Jesus, but His was an unexpected one. What gifts from God!
But beyond having a baby, we all are called to bring God's life into the world. Which parts of our lives are barren? What part of our hearts are barren? God comes to you today and invites you to conceive the new life He wants you to bear in your heart and soul. Will you receive it with radical faith?