Mulieris Dignitatem

Recently I've been reading through John Paul II's Apostolic Letter, "Mulieris Dignitatem" i.e., "The dignity and vocation of women." I will readily admit that, for many years, my understanding of the role and dignity was, how shall I say, lacking. As I've read more church documents, and seen the powerful role and potential of women in and outside of the Church, I have come to a fuller, more catholic understanding. One line from John Paul II has really stuck with me:

"Whenever man is responsible for offending a woman's personal dignity and vocation, he acts contrary to his own personal dignity and his own vocation."#10 MD

I completely agree with this theoretically and practically. Theoretically, we are all made in the image in likeness of God, men and women alike, and we all shall in the common vocation of "generation." (cf. MD #8)  We are all called to evangelize (cf. Paul VI, Evangelii Nuntiandi), to be holy, (cf. Lumen Gentium), and to love both God and neighbor.  Practically, the enmity between men and women is a result of sin, (MD #9) and, as we look around the world, the less respect there is in a nation for women, family, children, etc. the more sinful, depraved, and sorrowful the people. The road to holiness, loving neighbor and God, draws us closer to one another in truth, and to God in truth. As Saint Paul writes, "There is neither Jew nor Greek: there is neither bond nor free: there is neither male nor female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Gal. 3:28)  Now this does not mean that there are not distinctions between people, nor that individuality is nullified, but that, through the mystery of the resurrection and the Eucharist, we are all drawn together into a spiritual brother and sisterhood in which, through the remission of sin, we may indeed all follow the path to holiness.