"Mozart's Sister": Look at a Sibling Reduced to a Footnote

The title of the movie review in San Diego Union Tribune (9/9/2011) shouted:

“Mozart’s Sister”

looks at a sibling reduced to a footnote

That sister, Maria Anna Walburga Ignatia Mozart (known as Nannerl), born 1751, was said to possess a rare talent.  Mozart’s father (Leopold) was so dazzled by his son that he hardly has eyes or ears for Nannerl.  Her role has been decided.  An accomplished harpsichordist and singer, she served as her brother’s accompanist.  After a long tour (when Wolfgang was 7), Leopold forced her to stay home, where she took up her new role as wife, mother and footnote to a genius.

The review asked: is Nannerl a genius? a martyr? a feminist cause?  a disappointed daughter?  a resigned woman? or all of the above?

I wonder if Nannerl was born in the 21th century today, will her fate be the same in the light of her brother’s brilliant musical career?  Will she still be “reduced” to a footnote?  Hagar was a footnote to the great faith story of Abraham and Sarah.  The Judge Debora was seen as a footnote to all the other powerful and faithful male Judges.  Like Nannerl who was virtually unknown to the outsiders, many Christians do not know there was a great female Judge existed in the Bible. Even Ruth was considered a footnote to the brave, kind and compassionate Boas who saved her from her horrifying fate. 

Is there something wrong of being a “footnote”?  Did not Christ teach us those who want to be great shall become the servants for many?  Did not Paul teach us to always put others first?  Does not the very word of God teach us the body of Christ works together for the glory of God…someone has to be the little finger or toe?  There is absolutely nothing wrong to be a footnote in God’s Kingdom and for His sake!

I guess what frightened me was the word “reduced” and “forced”.  These women (and many before and after them) were judged, sized, and put into a “hole” fitted with human cultural standard and who they really were, their places in history and their influences to humanity distorted.  And by “reduced” and “forced”, we understand what happened to them was not meant to be and they were (who they were created by God) meant to be much more.

Have you been “reduced” or “forced” to become someone less than who God meant for you to be?  Maybe this movie is a good reminder for all of us to re-think this question.  Please write and tell me your story at wwjc4ever@gmail.com.