Am I a man or a woman?

(2 minutes read)

I was born in the sixties, a time when we were all taught to be a man or a woman, for any other gender alternative was considered a diabolic abnormality.

In school biology we learnt that the sex was determined by the chromosome system; being that the XY chromosomes would indicate that the individual was a male, and the XX chromosomes would indicate that the individual was a female. Only in some very rare cases is that this biological rule wouldn’t apply.

However nowadays it appears that people find their gender identity not through the objectivity of their chromosomic reality, but through the subjectivity of their psychological perception. Nevertheless, in this situation the Church should precisely be the place where people can sincerely and honestly find their true nature and potential in Jesus Christ, in an environment of absolute respect and trust. 

We cannot simply look at the different person as a diabolic abnormality, but as someone who, like us, can find abundant life in Christ. This doesn’t happen by violence or force, but through the convincing action of the Holy Spirit. When we become judges, we wrongly assume a role that isn’t ours to assume. 

The truth is that when we start knowing Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we must undress old concepts and practices, and dress new ones according to God’s revelation to us. This can be a painful process for some and pleasurable for others, but no one can avoid it. To go through this process in a fraternal environment strengthens the journey of all of us.  

Let me make the apostle Paul’s words to Timothy my own: “…Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst.” (1 Timothy 1:15)

• Is the Church a place for saints or sinners?

• How can we attract sinners to the worship services?

(New Life in Christ, Ephesians 4:22-24 / Judgement of others, Matthew 7:1-3)