The True Man

The Catholic Man Show

As men, there is much expected of us. So much so, that it can be overwhelming. Even as a young boy, we are held to a different standard than to our God-given counter-part, women. We are told to be strong, endure, get up when we fall, to harden ourselves, to meet challenges and struggle for victory. This is not altogether a part from God’s desire for the True Man. This ‘True Man’, according to God’s will, has a holy vocation which is destined to advance His glorious kingdom upon earth. As his conscience is formed by the Apostolic faith of the Church, the Pillar and Ground of the Truth, his calling becomes more and more evident as he grows. In the practice of virtue, this man merits graces for his fidelity to God’s design for him. For there are many ways to serve the Lord and each path has its own cross to bear. For those that are called to the Priesthood, enslave yourself to the most Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary and sacrifice yourself daily for your sheep. But for those who are called to holy Matrimony, take up your cross and follow walk with me a while as we divulge into the grave importance of husband and fatherhood.

This is not to say, that only men that enter into holy Matrimony are the “True Men”, on the contrary, as layman are Priests of their household, the perfection of him who worships Christ is the Priest. But he who lays down his life to become one with the woman God wills for him and to bring up children for the cause of holiness and joy, blessed is he for he trains and raises potential saints. The father of a household, as stated before, is the Priest of his home and therefore responsible for the spiritual health of his family. As we are told, “the sins of the father pass onto his offspring,” in the sense that those that came before us sinned and in one way or another teach their youth to follow in their sin. As Jesus has told us,

“Or how can any one enter into the house of the strong, and rifle his goods, unless he first bind the strong? and then he will rifle his house.” – Mt 12:29

The adversary must first defeat the shepherd before he may harm the sheep. Therefore, be alert fathers and husbands! For the enemy stands at your threshold awaiting your weakness to take what is yours. Be it your wife, or your children, Satan makes no distinction between them all and constantly seeks to bring the Christian family to ruin. It has been said, “The family is the principal force of cultural reproduction; destroy it and the engine driving civilization will grind to a halt,” and in these dark days, the words of Sister Lucia of Fatima rings terribly truth, “the final battle between the Lord and the reign of Satan will be about marriage and the family.” Shall I spell it out to you, O man? It is in your hands that rests the future of civilization and spiritual well-being of your family. But how is this so? Does not the mother have any bearing on the Godliness? Yes, she too has her position in this warfare but the Domestic Church (your home) needs a Priest as does the Church. For we are among the ranks of the Church Militant, to wage holy war against powers and principalities in high places for the safeguarding of our families and advancement of Christendom.

But how can a man seeking out God’s Heart enter into the fray with honor? He does so first by prayer. The necessity for petitioning graces is paramount in this holy war of sanctification. For by graces, we are able to do the impossible only by God who works through us. To clothe yourself with the Armor of God, as St. Paul said,

“ Finally, brethren, be strengthened in the Lord, and in the might of his power. Put you on the armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the deceits of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood; but against principalities and power, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places.  Therefore take unto you the armour of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and to stand in all things perfect. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of justice, And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace: In all things taking the shield of faith, wherewith you may be able to extinguish all the fiery darts of the most wicked one. And take unto you the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit (which is the word of God). By all prayer and supplication praying at all times in the spirit; and in the same watching with all instance and supplication for all the saints:” – Eph. 6:10-18

But we cannot hope to wear such exalted armor if we do not first build a strong prayer life. As the Catholic Priest makes sacrifices for his congregation, we fathers also must make worthy sacrifices for our own. Especially if God gives us the grace to discern something within our family that is not of Christ and His will. To draw this evil as though a poison from a wound, we must take drastic measures. Recall the trouble Christ’s disciples had in exorcising demons from some who were afflicted, what was it that Christ said to battle such evils?

“Then came the disciples to Jesus secretly, and said: Why could not we cast him out? Jesus said to them: Because of your unbelief. For, amen I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain, Remove from hence hither, and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible to you. But this kind is not cast out but by prayer and fasting.” – Mt 17:18-20 –

Take time out to fast and pray for your wife and children. For the sake of their protection, strength, faith, and guidance into willingness for holy instruction. Patience, fathers. You will struggle against many things, even those of your own household you seek to liberate from the captivity of sin.

But make no mistake about it, you cannot remove the speck from your families eyes until you first remove the plank from your own. Go therefore, be an example of accountability and confess your sins to a Catholic Priest with great contrition. Have your family see you do this. Let them see that even daddy needs to come clean and reconcile with God. With all things, children understand routine and schedules. It makes them feel safe and that life is constant. For they know what to expect and may live life without much confusion. Therefore, make confession at the very least, a monthly endeavor. As it should without saying, be the same for Mass but weekly to fulfill at the very least your weekly obligation. Teach your family the immeasurable importance of attending Mass in a state of grace. Learn the prayers of this holy sacrifice called the Mass. Genuflect to the Tabernacle where Jesus, Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity reigns supreme. For we take part of His Body and Blood in a Heavenly offering, accompanying the saints and angels in joyous exaltation of His majesty, dominion, and holiness. Live for this and let your children see it. Do not force them but be lead by Christ, praying for the gift of Charity that your children may be moved to follow you.

Fail not in holy instruction for yourself either, good fathers. For the general does not send his legions into uncharted territories without first scouting the terrain lest he lose his trusting men to traps and pits for the enemy to prey upon. Study your faith. Hearken to the Apostolic faith and reject modernity for the novelties of this world only prove to skew the Deposit of the Faith for the faithful. For the banker, in an effort to keep from being deceived by the counterfeit, does not study the counterfeit but instead studies the genuine dollar so that all that may come to ape the dollar may be quickly recognized and weeded out. In all things, be mild and do not want for anything. Be satisfied with your wages that you work hard for and for the comfort of the woman that adores you. Do not push your children to rage but to peace and understanding. Do these things, God willing, you will be the True Man.