Men's Rosary

Growing up, my father showed me an example of being principled.  He was not perfect, but you always knew where he stood on things.  He taught me to be firm in my beliefs, regardless of what others may say or what the cost may be.  I was also taught, and shown, how to love wife and family.  It was a simple matter of fact in being a man.  He told me that wife and family come before any of my wants.  You work hard not to get the things you want, rather,  to provide for the things that the family needs.  You also look to others in need and reach out to help them.  And while my father was not a church-going man, he encouraged me to be.  These are some of the lessons in manhood that I received.

As I became a man, I took these lessons with me and have applied them in my life and in conjunction with my Catholic faith.  Faith, family, and work  has been the foundation of my life.  It is something that I value and was always valued by the “world” growing up.  But I wonder about that today.  It feels that the pillars of manhood are being shaken.  Being principled is looked at as toxic.  Strength in character is looked at as toxic.  Strong religious beliefs are unacceptable.  It is a sad commentary.

This all boils down to an assault on the family and we know that is where the devil attacks.  Take down the family and it is game over.  The problem is that the devil is making tremendous headway.  We must protect the family.  It starts with ours.  We must teach and model to  our sons and daughters, what it is to live a Godly life.  We must keep our house in order so we can go out and help others and protect the family.  “And if a house is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.  And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but is coming to an end.  But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man; then indeed he may plunder his  house” (Mark 3:25-27)

We all have responsibilities.  We have jobs or businesses that require our time and attention.  We must interact with all sorts of people and situations.  So, we are “in” the world.  We must do what we need to do to survive and provide for our families.  But we are not “of” the world.  We still need to stand strong on our beliefs.  We must be men of principle.  And we will get push back.  “If the world hates you,  know that it hated me before it hated you.  If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” (John 15:18-19) 

As men we stand guard against the devil and protect.  We do this for love of our God and our family.  It is at the core of our being and we must act on it courageously. “Be watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong.  Let all that you do be done in love.” (1 Corinthians 16:13-14)   When we see an attack we must speak out, witness to the truth of our faith.  Despite the current culture, we must remain strong and outspoken.  Our children will hear plenty from the “world” and if we fall silent how will they know the truth?  How will they form themselves into Godly people?  They will not!  “for God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power and love and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

We were created as men with an inherent responsibility to protect and to serve the Church.  The smallest model of Church is the family.  We start here and take this out to the Church at large.  “The end of the matter; all has been heard.  Fear God, and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.  For God will bring every deed into judgement, with every secret  thing, whether good or evil.  (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)