Oh Brotherhood

As brotherhood goes, make mine Christian.

Am I alone in finding the radical element now dispensing dictatorial rants over Egypt a bit odd in calling itself the “Muslim Brotherhood”?  I mean, it’s a catchy name but these semantics are becoming challenging. The spectacle of rioting throngs in the streets and the newly “elected” President being the poster child for “brotherhood” around the globe is giving rise to speculation if “Muslim Brotherhood” is an oxymoron.  But rather than just throwing stones at the obvious issue within Islam, perhaps a better use of reflective time might be spent in this period of Advent, in reflecting on true Christian Brotherhood.

While few non-Catholic, yet Christian faith traditions celebrate Advent, the season allows us to more thoughtfully consider how we might reach out.  Pope Benedict XVI has reiterated the need for the New Evangelization in this year of Faith.  Perhaps, this season of reflection could more profitably be spent considering how one might reach out to all men of good will in a more authentic sense of brotherhood, and invite them to consider He who in reality makes us all brothers.

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Dan Spencer III has been married to his wife Linda for 48 years. They are the parents of 4 married children and have 16 grandchildren. Dan is Catholic revert, author with Our Sunday Visitor, and national Catholic speaker. He has appeared on numerous national catholic media outlets such as EWTN’s The Journey Home, Vatican Radio, At Home with Jim & Joy, Catholic Connection with Teresa Tomeo and The Choices We Face with Ralph Martin and Peter Herbeck, discussing topics of concern to families including the role of parents in safeguarding their children. He is the co-founder of the Catholic Business Network, and the past Executive Director of National Fellowship of Catholic Men. In 2015, he founded Project Patriarch for men over 50 years old to examine the role of Christian grandfathers in the lives of their grandchildren. That project has now been integrated with his most recent grandparenting ministry, Legacy of Faith, which helps educate and equip grandparents, in collaboration with their married children, to spiritually influence their grandchildren and future generations to remain faithful to Christ. Dan and his wife are active lay leaders in their parish and throughout the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas for over 25 years.

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