MEN SURPASSED BY WOMEN

Man surpasses woman in worldly matters but, in spiritual matters, women get the better of men and are the first to seize the prize of heaven and soar like eagles to the heights of holiness.  While men, like jackdaws, remain stuck to the ground.

The women of the Old Testament were great and admirable characters:  such were Sarah, Rebekah, Deborah and Hannah.  Yet, they never surpassed the men of the Old Testament.

But now it is the very contrary; women outstrip and eclipse men.  This is a shame.  Man is the head but he is surpassed by the body; he is the leader but he is surpassed by his follower.  Man is supposed to rule over woman but how can man be ruler when he is surpassed by his subject?

St. John Chrysostom

(03-09-04)