On his deathbed, King David commanded his son to "take courage and be a man" (1 Kgs 2:2). These commands must be very important for the great King David to utter them on his deathbed. The Lord in His perfect plan made us male and female. He wants us to be ourselves.

Only a man can produce the seed which can lead to a human life. This is not only a biological fact but an indication of male identity as initiator, seed-planter, and leader. The understanding of this is often confused and culturally conditioned. But if we are observing the Lord's "statutes, commands, ordinances, and decrees" (1 Kgs 2:3), we will probably begin to understand male identity correctly.

Only a woman can conceive a human being, give birth to her child, and nurture her child at the breast. Because the spiritual is based on the natural (1 Cor 15:46), this indicates the heart of femininity as life-bearer and nurturer. Only the Holy Spirit can guide us to understand and develop this rightly.

Even with these initial insights into true masculinity and femininity, it obviously takes courage to be ourselves. Leadership requires sacrifice and the willingness to be rejected. It takes courage to lead. In an abortifacient, contraceptive culture, how courageous women are to conceive, birth, and nurture human life! Take courage and be yourself.

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Richard Walling, July 18, 2003

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 24, 2003