I am proud to highlight the work of writer Kaitlin Shetler today on my blog. When I came across this viral piece my heart nearly stopped and started at the same time. I had never thought about Mary this human before. Mary has always felt out of reach, this poem made her and Jesus more human and accessible, thus growing the capacity for my heart to love and honor. I thought about how limited the gospel has become only allowing half of God’s image to speak in most pulpits. Thank you, Kaitlin may you allow these words to disrupt and transform you. 

 

sometimes I wonder

if Mary breastfed Jesus.

if she cried out when he bit her

or if she sobbed when he would not latch.

and sometimes I wonder

if this is all too vulgar

to ask in a church

full of men

without milk stains on their shirts

or coconut oil on their breasts

preaching from pulpits off-limits to the Mother of God.

but then i think of feeding Jesus,

birthing Jesus,

the expulsion of blood

and smell of sweat,

the salt of a mother’s tears

onto the soft head of the Salt of the Earth,

feeling lonely

and tired

hungry

annoyed

overwhelmed

loving

and i think,

if the vulgarity of birth is not

honestly preached

by men who carry power but not burden,

who carry privilege but not labor,

who carry authority but not submission,

then it should not be preached at all.

because the real scandal of the Birth of God

lies in the cracked nipples of a

14 year old

and not in the sermons of ministers

who say women

are too delicate

to lead.

 

Follow Kaitlin’s Work Below: 

www.facebook.com/kaitlinhardyshetler

Instagram is @theskeptileptic

Kaitlin Shetler writes poems, rants, and love letters to pizza. She’s a 2w3, writing as an 8. She’s quick to jump on bandwagons and stans Tom Hanks and Leslie Knope. Kaitlin has her MSW and lives among piles of unfolded laundry with her patient husband and fearless 3-year-old daughter.