the male-man
“Tell the older men that they must be temperate, serious-minded, and self-controlled; likewise sound in the faith, loving and steadfast.” —Titus 2:2 “Tell the young men to keep themselves completely under control.” —Titus 2:6
In the USA, we often expect our parishes and pastors to provide for the religious education of our children. We expect our pastors to provide the sacraments and to reach out especially to the elderly and the sick. These expectations are good, but they are different than the early Church’s expectations for ministry.
St. Paul expected St. Titus, the pastor of the church of Crete, to focus his ministry on old men and young men so as to call these men to holiness (Ti 2:2, 6). Paul expected that holy men would make their marriages and families holy. In this way, the Church would have credibility. Many would listen to the Gospel and become Christians, thus making disciples of all nations (Mt 28:19).
In the Western world, there is something wrong. Symptoms of our problem are:
- our children leaving the Church,
- our inability to stop millions of children from being aborted,
- the breakdown of Catholic marriages, and
- the refusal of many young people to accept vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
Considering the casualties the Church is suffering in our culture of death, “be on your guard lest you be led astray by the error of the wicked, and forfeit the security you enjoy” (2 Pt 3:17). This means focusing on the ministry to men.
Prayer: Father, may men lead their families in prayer, and in every place “offer prayers with blameless hands held aloft” (1 Tm 2:8).
Promise: “Take delight in the Lord, and He will grant you your heart’s requests.” —Ps 37:4
Praise: St. Josaphat’s favorite prayer was the “Jesus” prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
Reference:
Rescript: "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from Octobert 1, 2024, through November 30, 2024. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio January 24, 2024"
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.