Boy-Girl Relationships

‘Daniel’ by Mari The Odd

Works Both Ways

12 January – The pastoral text of Fr Reuter is this: Inadequate consideration for the condition of women creates instability in society. I think of the exploitation of women who are treated as objects, and of the many ways that a lack of respect is shown for their dignity. – Benedict XVI. The Flickr image I have chosen for the message has this note attached to it: ‘It has a warmer tone than the others … keeping my sense of dominance or being overshadowed.’ Mari, it’s a question of perspective. It’s a question of more than just a pretty face. Outside of marriage, I look at the exploitation of women by men as the fault of both the women and the men, not necessarily in that order. On one hand, the women try their best to look attractive, seductive; the men try their best not to be attracted, seduced. Suppose the women succeed and the men fail? On the other hand, the men try their best to attract, seduce the women – suppose they succeed beyond their wildest dreams? On both sides, it’s the worldliness that succeeds, the province of the devil.