a pro-life man
In honor of Father’s Day, we have a guest writer today, Crystal’s husband Greg! We wish you and the men you love a happy Father’s Day!!
It is a dangerous world out there friends and neighbors, and it does not appear that the 21st Century is going to be kinder or safer anytime soon. It is even less secure for those in the Pro-Life movement, especially men and especially Catholic men.
Why?
Because as the Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen put it, "…we are living in the Age of Feeling." Who can deny the accuracy of these prophetic words? People today are encouraged to "Just do you"—do what makes you happy, no judgment. This world of non-judgment has gone so far as to invade thoughtful and well-intentioned admonishment and correction when someone is in error. A society that wants everyone to be free to do what they want, whenever they want, does not want to be corrected. How does this "Age of Feeling" make it dangerous to be a Pro-life, Catholic man in the 21st Century? This man is now a target. He represents almost everything contrary to the modern age, and he has never been more necessary.
Cardinal Sarah echoed Pius XII in his book, God or Nothing, "When God is hated, every basis of morality is undermined." We see this daily across the nation; Planned Parenthood aborts over 320,000 babies per year in the United States alone. This disregard for human life does not stop with the unborn, it extends to those at the end of their life and to those experiencing physical or emotional suffering. Nations such as Canada, the Netherlands, Colombia, Luxembourg, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, and Japan, as well as the U.S. states of Oregon, Washington, Montana, Vermont, California, Colorado, Washington D.C., Hawaii, New Jersey, Maine, and New Mexico permit euthanasia or assisted suicide. And, the U.S. State Department and the Ark of Hope report that between 600,000 and 800,000 women, men, and children will be bought and sold over international borders and sold for labor and commercial sexual slavery…EVERY YEAR.
What does it mean to be a Pro-Life Man?
First, we must establish what a man is and is not. A man is a caregiver and a provider for his family, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. He is present, providing an upright and steady example. He is not a chauvinist, a brute, a tyrannical disciplinarian (although raising children means to admonish, exhort, praise, and discipline all in turn).
The Pro-Life Man should understand that sin is an obstacle for sanctity. St. Jerome said, "Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ." So above all, the Pro-Life Man should devote time daily to both Scripture and lectio divinia (spiritual reading). This 21st Century Pro-Life Man, who is assailed from all sides because his masculinity will be viewed as toxic, should consecrate himself to our Lord through Mary. Our blessed Lord gave her to us from the cross, and through her, we find strength as she guides us closer to her Son. The Pro-Life Man should not just defend life by joining pro-life ministry and attending marches. He should vote life, admonish politicians to protect those weakest among us—the unborn, the impoverished, the sick, and the dying.
Good start but not enough.
The Pro-Life Man must also assist in the fight against the sexual exploitation of children, human trafficking, and pornography. These fights are all sins against life and insulting to God. I am not suggesting run out and join the FBI or start tracking predators. No, the Pro-Life Man must begin setting a new example for society, one family at a time. He must reject pornographic images — not just internet websites—but the nefarious pornography that infiltrates our homes every day via television, commercials, movies, and other media. The Pro-Life Man must ensure the sanctity of his family. The home must become a sanctuary, a place of peace, prayer, and love. The daily exposure through the media to harsh words, compromising situations, and hedonistic culture must be eliminated. With the background noise from anti-life, egotistical, platforms designed to distract and tempt, we will, once again, be able to hear God's voice. "We become like that which we gaze upon" (Sheen, p. 188).
The Pro-Life Man in the 21st Century will suffer because he will be a model for his family on how to live virtuously without pride, avoiding sin, and counter to the fallacies and trends of the times. In the end, Christ demanded that His Apostles leave everything, pick up their cross, and follow Him. Our mission, as a Pro-Life Man, whether a family man or a single student at university, is the same. We will lead people to Him by our example, by defending life through direct action (prayer, mentorship, marches, ministry, admonishment), and indirect action (shutting off the media, avoiding the temptation, cutting off the CSEX pipeline.)
Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi, Lex Vivendi.
("As we pray, so we believe, as we believe, so we live.")
For the next few weeks, we are sharing our Pray, Grow, & Serve kid’s devotionals based on old classics with you. Check out the book from the library, read the story with your littles, and plant seeds! This week, we are sharing the story of the Emperor’s New Clothes. After reading, have a Christ-centered discussion with your children using our PGS.
For more information about joyfully reawakening a culture of life within your domestic church, visit www.pelicanprojectministry.org.
