Virtues of Saint Monica and Rebekah - Essay Example

Virtues of Saint Monica and Rebekah The stories of Saint Monica and Rebekah are both reflective of the power of God revealed through women. Their virtues, their views of marriage, their ideas about responsibilities to their husbands are worthy to be admired and followed. Saint Monica of Hippo is a Christian saint and the mother of Saint Augustine (Bohol Philippines Travel Guide). Saint Monica was a Berber descent, the indigenous people of North Africa, but she has never showed an attitude of an unschooled, undisciplined person. Instead, she grew to be virtuous despite the many temptations to be proud and rebellious (Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.). Saint Monica's virtues were highlighted in her marriage. Although she was brought up a Christian but her parents married her to an older pagan, Patricius, who was also occupying an official position (Pope Hugh). The character of her husband was a true test to her faith. His temper was said to be violent and he was observed to have been of dissolute habits, making Monica's married life far from being a happy one (Pope Hugh). Patricius was also written to have given to adultery while married to Monica. Patricius was written to have been annoyed with Monica's alms deeds and habit of prayer (Bohol Philippines Travel Guide). Saint Monica also received quite an amount of hurts from her mother in-law who seemed to dislike her (Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.). Monica was living in a society with prevalent domestic violence, but something in Monica made her different from the rest of the women and she enjoined them to follow her steps. What made Monica survive the tests of faith and why she was able to convert her husband and her children to faith in Christianity During the difficult times that Monica was facing, she did not rebelled against God. Her situation seemed to have brought her closer to God rather than away from him. "Monica attended church daily and cultivated the virtue of patience" (Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.). Her advice to the other advised other wives, who were beaten was to hold their tongues around their husbands, rather than proudly withstand them (Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.). Her virtue was that of submission of obedience, as Saint Augustine, her son said that although domestic violence was prevalent that time, her mother was never beaten by his father because of her obedience (Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.). Specifically, she was quoted saying "If you can master your tongue, not only do you run less risk of being beaten, but perhaps you may even, one day, make your husband better" (Bohol Philippines Travel Guide). These virtues and wisdom, in addition to her sweetness and patience made her exercise a veritable apostolate among the wives and mother in her community. Monica bore her burdens patiently that's why even though her husband was causing her pain, their life together was relatively peaceful (Women for Faith & Family). She also continued with helping other people despite the resistance from her husband. It was because she exercised the power of prayer that she was able to withstand the temptations to be in despair and to rebel against her husband. Through much prayer, she was able to convert her husband into Christianity a year before he died. It took her 30 years to pray for her husband (Bohol Philippines Travel Guide). It was such a marvellous victory for Saint Monica. More victoriously, she was also able to win her mother-in law through her gentleness, respectfulness and patience (Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.). Aside from being patient, gentle, obedient, respectful and fervent in prayer, Monica showed persistence in asking help for her son. It was written that Monica asked help from a bishop who also used Manichaean before he became a Christian for several times although she was always rejected. In the end, the bishop consoled Monica saying, "the child of those tears shall never perish" which she took as a sign from God (Women for Faith & Family). Monica's persistence was shown more dramatically when she followed her wayward and dissolute son Augustine to Milan. His membership with the sect Manichaeism make him believe heretical propositions which made her mother grieve over him. They spent six months in Cassiacum and with the help of Saint Ambrose, he became a Christian (Bohol Philippines Travel Guide). Noteworthy is Saint Monica's strength in her faith. She was dedicated and patient through prayers and more importantly she was obedient to the will of God, following Him with all her strength. She recognized that her primary responsibility to her husband and children was to bring them to faith in God. Obedience to the will of God is also what Rebekah has shown as narrated in the bible. Rebekah is the wife of Isaac, the daughter of Nahor, Isaac's uncle (Genesis 24). The bible indirectly described Rebekah as tender, obedient, and helpful. When Abraham sent his servant to his own country in search for Isaac's future wife, Rebekah showed her accommodating and submissive attitude to the servant. She showed this by drawing water for him and for the camels, and she was willing to accommodate the guests into their house (Genesis 24). Her attitude revealed that she should really be the wife of Isaac. In response to what God has put in her heart, she consented to come with the servant to live with her husband Isaac. Although their life was prosperous and Isaac loved her, they were not without difficulty. The bible says that Rebekah was barren and only after prayers to the Lord did they bore a twin: Esau and Jacob. She showed her submission to the Lord when God finally made her pregnant. God told her about the two nations inside her and that the younger will rule over the older. With this knowledge, Rebekah loved Jacob more than Esau (Genesis, 25). Some say that it was because of this prophecy from God that Rebekah chose to love Jacob more. When it was time for Isaac to give blessing, Rebekah stood up as someone to fulfil the prophecy of God. Isaac intend to give his blessing to the son that he loved much, Esau but God has other plans in mind and so it was Rebekah who became instrumental in fulfilling this will. Upon hearing that Isaac asked Esau to hunt for a game and after which will give his blessing, she called her son Jacob to get two choice young goats from their flock so he can feed his father (Genesis 27). Rebekah prepared some tasty food, put the best clothe of Esau on Jacob and "covered his hands and the smooth part of his neck with the goatskins" (Genesis 27). Jacob was blessed by Isaac, knowing that it was his son Esau. Jacob was blessed according to what God has planned beforehand. It is a story of courage of Rebekah's part, sacrificing the possibility of being caught by Isaac and receiving a curse, for the main purpose of paving the way for the will of God. It is this preference for God first that made these two women the best wife and mother. Both Saint Monica and Rebekah showed reverence to God and great faith. Their virtues were built around this. As a wife they were both submissive and loving. This is proven on Rebekah's part when she decided to be with her husband rather than stay with her parents. On the other hand, we envisage Monica as more gentle, demure and patient while Rebekah was a bit forceful. Over-all, these two women viewed marriage and responsibilities to husband as an act of obedience to God. And that what made them really different. Works Cited Bohol Philippines Travel Guide. http://www.bohol-philippines.com. 29 April 2009 . Pope, Hugh. "St. Monica." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 10. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1911. 29 Apr. 2009 . The Family Devotional Study Bible, New International Version, International Bible Society 1987. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. http://en.wikipedia.org. 28 April 2009. 2009 April 2009 . Women for Faith & Family. http://www.wf-f.org. 29 April 2009 . Read More