“For whosoever shall do the will of my Father
who is in [the] heavens, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.” - Mt. 12:50
SALVE ....
How do we do this? We will start each blog with
a historical introduction and then look at the lessons we can learn from that. Then
we will apply the relevant factors from the biblical concepts of Mastery and
slavery to our current ideas about consensual slavery; isn’t that sexy? WWMD;
what would master do …
Then: The Master and his chosen ones
From the
start Christianity has been a people’s movement. It offered hope to the
hopeless, comfort for those who grieved and certitude to those who were lost. First
starting with a huge diversity, an over-representation of female believers and
a community of modesty and the poor, it took only about a century before things
started to get institutionalized. The message to accept your current life
conditions and not revolt, but instead wait for your reward in heaven, was in
many ways comfortable, both for the believers to remain inactive as for the
rulers, as they were not threatened by opposing political factors; after all,
it was as Jesus said to Pilate: my Kingdom is not of this world.
The view of
Christianity as a communion of Brethren and Sisters, all equally lost in sin
and all equally saved by the same grace, all equally waiting for the Age to
Come. In order for the Church to understand what was to be done, already in the
book of Acts, we find those who need guidance to be convinced, converted and
instructed by those who possessed or claimed spiritual authority.
Originally
this worked well, as all disciples formed a community where they shared what
the possessed. After a while struggles arose and more leadership structures
were established, meanwhile teaching the followers to stay loyal to each other
and to work hard to make the young church into a fellowship that would be
characterized by mutual love. And the greatest love, was of course, doing the
Masters will.
Today: Your slavery and former, current and
future slaves
“Everytime
you say goodbye you die a little” is a classic Cole Porter song. It is similar
when releasing a slave or losing a Master. Saying goodbye hurts, but in order
to grow and make progress, we sometimes must go on and let go.
For you as
a slave that is greedily serving your Master, the idea of change can be
frightening, but you know there were others before you and there will be others
after you, unless you and your Master are able to find a permanent state where
each of you feels happy and content. But just as someone does not get an obedient
and well trained slave over night – or a Master, for what it is worth – just as
much do you stand in a line, a tradition or a succession that involves a
continuity.
When you
are in a household where your Master has more than just one slave or
submissive, you know how this does affect you, your position and your time with
your Master. But as we look at doing the will of your Master, it is not about your
position as slave, your rank, your status and so on, but it is rather about
focussing on this continuity, then, as such, it represents your Masters lead,
guidance and fulfilment as a Master being served.
Those before
you, were there for a reason; it was your Master’s will to have them. It is the
same for them he has or will take beside you. One of the comforting things of
not having to fulfil all your Masters demands, is that it is offering you the
opportunity to develop your gifts, your skills and your devotion, all according
to the will of your Master. As in the Kingdom of the Lord in the biblical
sense, there is one Master and all others are Brethren, united by their common
goal to serve, honour and please their Master and Ruler.
This also
means, that you can learn from your predecessors, understand why they did what
they had done and why the Master released them, or why they left him, against
his will. This lesson, by looking at other relationships of your Master, can
learn you a great deal about your Master. It is not about becoming a
replacement, or outperform them – yet there is nothing against doing your best –
but, understanding what was so valuable, pleasing and sexy for your Master, can
help you to understand his will better.
Together
with your fellow slaves and submissives, your stand united in the task to
satisfy your common Master. At the same time, you can help each other so each
of you can add to the overall joy that Master gets from those he has chosen to
serve him.
This is a
very important point; his choice for each of you is that you find your happiness
and your fulfillment. Your Master respects your personal reasons for wanting
this Master and not another and expects you that you let him do that for the
others as well. However, this does not mean, that all will be easy and smooth or without pain of feeling secondary, neglected or under privileged. This is
of course an important issue to speak about with your Master, but ultimately,
you have to see what is his will for you. His will for your life, your development,
your service to him and those who are with him and you, is focused on you,
your potential, your zeal.
When you
are not Masters primary relationship, just see your quality time with your
Master as a holiday and a break from the normal daily routine. When you travel
abroad, you prepare your suitcase, your trips, you take care that at home
everything is in order, so when you get back, you are ready to go and take up
your routine. It is not holiday all over the year, but just as a good holiday
can give you strength, so can be the time with your Master.
Thus, slave
enjoy your time with your Master, regardless if it is long or short lasting, as
long as you do your best, you are never to blame. If this word speaks to your
heart, then again, devote yourself to your Master and seek to do his will and
bring him joy with whom you are.
Monsignor C. Cameloni
