Step 2 towards the understanding of "Natural Sacraments": The differences between men and women.

Men and women are different.

Wow!

Sorry, being a bit silly there. Just to let you know that I still haven't given up thinking about the Unique Ministry of Women and the "natural sacraments" that they alone can perform.

For this step, I'm trying to ascertain which characterstics are generally common to men, and which are generally common to women. This is all speculation, and I can only offer my thoughts on the matter. I just hope that what results, whether it be from these thoughts or not, is the realignment of the minstry of women in the church.

Men:

• achievements and successes are a source of health and happiness;
• find stability in success;
• prize competence and respect;
• where they live is where they relax and free themselves from the pressures of demonstrating competence and pursuing success;
• supremely analytical;
• communicate ideas.

Women:

• relationships are the source of health and happiness;
• find stability in relationships;
• prize expressions of feelings and love;
• where they live is where relationships should be cultivated;
• supremely intuitive;
• communicate feelings.

It seems to me then that the masculine epithet is action, whereas the feminine epithet is relationship.

Let's just look at the seven sacraments again.

Holy Baptism............Action= administration of water
Holy Eucharist..........Action= the Sacrifice of the Mass
Holy Matrimony.......Action= "signing" (i.e. in whatever form that takes) the contract of marriage
Holy Orders...............Action=laying on of hands
Holy Unction.............Action=administering the holy oil
Reconciliation...........Action=absolution
(in the old days this used to be laying on of hands)
Confirmation............Action=laying on of hands.

These Sacraments are all actions, all male in character, except Holy Matrimony. Yes there's an action, but there is also a relationship being forged, the input of the female into the union.

If these Sacraments are all male in character through action, then the Natural Sacraments ought to be female in character through relationship.