The Handmaiden Who Became Queen of the Patriarchs

 
When Hillary Clinton, former First Lady of the United States and aspirant for the Presidency,  recently derided conservative women as “handmaidens to the patriarchy,”  I thought of Mary, Handmaid of the Lord but now First Lady in the City of God and Queen of Heaven for all eternity. 

This baffles the secular world.  Yet, when Mary uttered “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.  May it be done to me according to your word,” she became the Spouse of the Holy Spirit. (Luke 1:38). Pentecost, at which her presence emboldened the disciples, including St. Peter, the first Patriarch of the Church, would also portend her reign as Queen of the Patriarchs, among many other titles. 

 
Yet, let us pause for a moment and contemplate the meaning of both handmaid and patriarchy because both have been negatively distorted, mainly by spiritual ignorance.  The term “handmaid or handmaiden” has a long history, appearing more often in the Old Testament to mean “female slave” but “as a term of humility and respectful self depreciation in the presence of great men.” (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia).  Yet, in ancient Greek and Egyptian societies, handmaids often came from respectable families, were well educated, and played important roles in royal courts. (papersowl.com). In modern times, such creative endeavors as The Handmaids Tale, a sci fi work of fiction about a theocratic regime that enslaves women for child bearing, has succeeded in giving “handmaiden” a “bad” name.  

 
The Greek root of the word patriarchy means “ruling father.” That could mean kings, prophets, and other men of elevated status.   In the time of Jesus Christ, the term patriarch referred to key, foundational Biblical figures such as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  Today, the term also applies to the highest ranking bishops in the Catholic Church, the Popes.  

 
However, in our contemporary society, patriarchy now conveys a negative connotation for those lacking knowledge and understanding in accordance with the teaching of the Roman Catholic Faith.  To better grasp that instruction and as integrated with the Old Testament, we literally  have to return to the Garden of Eden.

 
“Now the serpent was the most cunning of all the animals that the Lord God had made”.  (Gen 3:1)

 
I am no theologian, but like most I wonder at the meaning of Scripture, especially that which predates man’s recorded history. Though overthinking can lead one down a slippery slope, we can question, yes, although ponder might be the better way.  Some possible answers will come to mind about the fall of man that even great philosophers like St. Augustine considered over a lifetime.  

 
For example:  Why did the serpent approach “the woman” first with “Did God really tell you not to eat from any of the trees in the garden?”  Like—really?!  During this brief discourse, Eve will come to  know the first danger posed by temptation:  Question God. 

 
She responds in the worldly way which raises additional questions.   Eve has concluded that the chief barrier to eating the forbidden fruit is that “You shall not eat it or even touch it, lest you die.”  Why did Eve not say words to the effect of “God, my Creator, my Protector, Provider, and Patriarch has well taken care of Adam and me and given us every good thing, so we do not need that fruit.”  Or, paraphrasing the Second Eve Mary at Cana, in confident obedience, “We do what He tells us to do.” In fact, Eve does not proclaim God’s love at all.  Like the contemporary, anti-christian feminist—was she the first of such?—she listens to the devil and remains in his company. 

 
Then the serpent immediately responds in a matter to relieve her of that seemingly foremost concern, “You certainly will not die.” The evil one then rushes to preempt reflection and stroke pride, “No, God knows well that the moment you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods who know what is good and what is bad.” (Gen. 3:5.). That same power of persuasion for false freedom poisons our culture today,   

 
So, now, Eve had even more to contemplate.  If death is “off the table,” what then?  Ahhh, another worldly desire—power like gods—is the bonus.  She eats of the forbidden fruit and then hands it to Adam, poisoning his soul.  (Many have speculated about that exchange, but Adam’s response to God reveals his weakness:  “The woman whom you put here with me—she gave me fruit from the tree, so I ate it.” Gen 3:12)

 
Certainly Adam and Eve though greatly infused with supernatural grace and living in the absence of illness and death, possessed an intellect and free will.  St. Augustine in some accounts  considered Eve less rationale than Adam, and therefore more susceptible to the devil’s temptation.   I hope not to be heretical in thinking a bit differently.  Eve may have been more imaginative and emotional, and the devil knew exactly what buttons to push.   

 
We are so blessed that God does not abandon us, even as He clarifies the opposing tension between man and woman and between mankind and the devil.  In orderly ways, even at the moment of Adam and Eve’s expulsion from the Garden of Eden, God promises redemption, through a second Eve, Mary, the woman clothed by the sun (Revelations).  After being ousted, how deeply did Adam and Eve understand their sin is not revealed on Scripture.  There are no diaries or journals, not even oral narratives through their son Seth?  

 
Was there immediate “knowledge and understanding”?  Or were there lingering doubts, puzzlement, an inner struggles about justice?  Cain obviously had what we contemporaries would call “issues."

 
Adam and Eve and family did not experience the Sacraments, such as Baptism and Confession; lacked the Bread of Life; and lived without the Sacrament of Healing.  One can speculate that God “assisted” them in some ways, though Heaven was closed to them.  Still, the Christian tradition generally recognizes that they were brought to Heaven upon the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.  

 
We also know that Adam and Eve suffered tremendously including enduring the murder of one son, Abel,  by another, Cain, who was banished from his earthly home and family.  Through all of these trials, Adam and Eve may well have become the first “reverts,” led a prayerful life as possible, and regretted their horrible transgression.

 
Regardless, the Salvation Plan would, in perfect sense, restore mankind through a woman.   How modern women can miss this incredible honor baffles faithful Catholics, but that is another subject.  Mary would be the handmaid of the Lord and her earthly spouse, Joseph, a just and upright man.  By their cooperation with God’s will, mankind would be redeemed; souls since Adam and Eve released from Limbo; and all women and men provided the perfect blue-print for reminding faithful. 

 
Mary would  be soon assumed into Heaven, and her honorifics are numerous. (See and pray the Litany of Mary). The predominant woman in all mankind’s history still shows us the perfect way to truth and love, but it is always through humility and obedience to the patriarchy, Our Father in Heaven.

 
Of course, we all know that the past 2,000 years proves we tend to stumble, sometimes disastrously; the world entices us; pride and power still appeal to us more than the quiet grace of an unseen God.  However, we must remember that “Satan and all the evil spirits that prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls” will one day be cast into hell forever.  (From Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel) 

 
The 21st Century, though may be the crescendo of the worst rebellion in all history.  

Sadly, in 2025, the more prevalent modernist feminist tone and behavior is anti-male.  Women scorn men, in general, reject marriage, contracept or abort their babies, and place their careers above family.  Confused sexuality that expresses itself in lesbianism or trans identity has added to the combustion of male-female relationships. 

 
One can almost hear Eve whisper, “I was bad…but I was not that bad.” 

 
The feminists of the world began with some just concerns but have long since shedded their female identity in myriad ways.  If we are brutally honest, women of all political persuasions subscribed to the “wonder woman” profile.  However, today women are parting company, and in this year of Hope, let us focus on that theological virtue.

 
Sharp tongued barbs no longer impact many of them, regardless of their backgrounds and current positions.  We have seen the downside to falsely masculinized women; the sorrow of trying to be little goddesses in a hostile world; the destruction to our children if we bore any.  Most wonderfully,  there are signs that young women (and men) are returning to God.  

 
Mary, Heaven’s Queen, full of grace, is a major influencer.  For me, her Rosary was most impactful in spurring my return to Catholicism.  Reciting the Mysteries and virtues associated with this most powerful devotion led me deeper into truth and the rediscovery of perfect love.

 
Furthermore, hardened feminists no longer anger me, as they once did.  At the least, they bore me.  During their most intense tirades, I pity them.  I watch their confident grasp of the mic and steely look of assertiveness into a camera and think, “And?  The monologues and dialogues are so now obviously over treaded and misdirected.  What these strident tongues are repeating for the millionth time through history, simply no longer connects.” 

 
I turn my eyes and ears to that which is good, true, and beautiful so wondrously embodied in Our Blessed Virgin Mother.  I want to speak only of what is authentically loving and pray for all my brothers and sisters (yes, including Hillary Clinton, et al) to know, understand, and embrace Agape, perfect love.   

 
I long for the City of God wherein I will be rejoined with all the faithful men and women, and most importantly God and Mary, Handmaiden most powerful and Queen of the Patriarchs.