I think that we have lost sight of what it really means to be a man. Television tends to paint men as bumbling and shallow. Married men in typical sitcoms seem to spend most of their time trying to get out of helping around the house and get out of doing anything at their job that would be considered extra. Rather, these caricatures seem to want to veg out on the sofa watching sports and drinking beer.
A lot of the men we see on the news are men who have achieved status and power and they use that power to use and manipulate others, especially women.
Young men are taught or trained to delay growing up as much as possible. The teen-age years seem to extend into the 20s, the late 20s and is even creeping into the 30s.
The Biblical view of what it means to be a man is radically different. Ultimately, the Gospel holds up the suffering, beaten, and dying Christ on the Cross as the perfect expression of what it means to be a man. The Biblical message could not be more divergent from what the culture holds up to us.
True masculinity sacrifices for the other. True masculinity leads others to Christ. Men, especially you fathers, we have a duty to take up the battle for the souls of the people around us. We especially need to step up for our sons. On March 4 at St. Bede and March 5 at St. Pius X in Mobile you have an opportunity to literally bring your son to Christ. The event is the same each night, just offered in two venues. The doors open at 5 p.m. with supper and the first session is at 6 p.m. The last thing we do is celebrate Mass together beginning at 8 p.m., so we will be out the door before 9 p.m. Fr. Patrick Driscoll will be conducting the sessions and celebrating the Mass.
Dads, please bring your sons! I think it is best for juniors in high school or older. Invite your college-aged son to join you. The evening you spend together will a blessing to your relationship. If you have ever wondered how you can deepen that father-son bond…here is an opportunity on a silver-platter.
Get more information and purchase tickets at www.mobarchconferences.org
— Pat Arensberg is the Director of the Office for Evangelization and Family Life. Email him at [email protected]
For more information concerning the events of this office, visit us at mobilefaithformation.org