Brothers in Christ - There is an ancient war that still rages on to this very day. It is a continuous battle between the Lord Our God and the Evil One Satan, who battle day in and day out for the heart and soul of the human race. 1 John, Chapter 5, proclaims with great certainty that the whole world is under the deceptive control of the Evil One. My brothers, we are on a perilous journey through enemy territory. This world, this life, is our battle ground and we are called to be REAL MEN, REAL SOLDIERS in this fight. So, my question to you this day is, where have all the real men gone? Are you enlisted in God’s army?
My brothers, Real manhood, real masculinity has become so ridiculed and mocked, so twisted and redefined, and almost even demonized that many men are deep down, afraid to be a REAL MAN or don’t even know what it means anymore. As Catholic men, we are not JUST men, but as St. Paul tells us, we are men of God, men aimed at virtue, Godliness, faith, love, gentleness, steadfastness; we are men called to fight the good fight of faith.
Being a man isn’t about wearing certain clothes, or having a swarm of ladies chasing you down, or having the biggest and nicest car, or being the best at sports, or having the biggest biceps, or being the most intellectual or having the most money. NO, it’s not any of those things. It is about being strong and noble, indestructible in your sacrifice for the weakest among us, invincible in the sacrifice for the beautiful gift of woman that God brought into this world, and it is about being a champion for truth!
Brothers, do you seek real manhood, do you seek real masculinity, do you have what it takes to enlist your entire being, all that you are, into God’s army? Are you strong enough to endure a counter-cultural life? Christ did not come into this world and die on a cross for you so that you could have a mediocre faith and live a mediocre manhood. Are you a soldier for Christ, ready to fight the good fight of faith and love. If so, I challenge you now, I challenge you to live by these four “Principles of Manhood” which I now offer to you:
Principle #1 - A Real Man Rejects Passivity - As a man, you must accept social and spiritual responsibilities entrusted to you by God. It all starts with a decision to reject social and spiritual passivity when nothing is the more comfortable and natural option.
Principle #2 - A Real Man Accepts Responsibility - in all its forms. As a man, you must obey the will of God with an unyielding faith. You must also use your unique gifts and abilities for the greater good of God’s Kingdom. One must also treat every woman with respect and dignity and protect her at all times, you must love, lead and honor them at all times.
Principle #3 - A Real Man Leads Courageously - God created us as men to lead, not to follow. Leadership demand that men have the courage to master their passions and bridle themselves with the principles of truth.
Principle #4 - A Real Man Expects the Greater Reward , God’s Reward - Manhood is challenging. Real manhood was designed by God to be liberating and a means of Great Reward. What kept Jesus in the race? The anticipation of Joy! Great Reward! Real manhood is at times rigorous; it demands courage and sacrifice!
My brothers listen to your heart, listen real intently, God is trying to get your attention; He is speaking to you. Are you hearing him, or are you hearing the world?
My brothers, rise up, and put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having SHOD YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; in addition to all, taking up the SHIELD OF FAITH with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, which is the Word of God. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the spirit.
My dear brothers and fellow soldiers, DO NOT BE AFRAID to be a REAL man and to fight the good fight, for God is at your side and there he will always be.
It is my continued prayer that an epidemic of faith continues to break out in our world because of men like you.
St. Padre Pio, Pray for us! St. Michael the Archangel Protect us in Battle!
