Recently, I watched a promotional video for the movie, Courageous, a Christian movie which will be available in 2011 (the video can be viewed here). The movie is the story of four law enforcement officers who are called, in very challenging situations, to serve and protect others and their families. Watching this video reminded me that as Catholic men, we are constantly bombarded in the media with images of men, husbands, and fathers that are not only negative, but counter to the biblical image of who we are in Christ as men.
The video also reminded me of the series of Catholic Man Channel articles I created in early 2007 that addressed the following questions: What does it mean to be a real man? What does it mean to be a Holy man? What does it mean to be a man of God? These are all good questions, and like many good questions, they do not have simple answers. In the next several weeks, I will include these articles once again in the Catholic Man Channel. This week’s article will try to provide insights into what is a real man. One of the best definitions of a “real man” that I have seen comes from the Diocese of Memphis NFP Center (URL: www.cdom.org, phone 901-373-1285 Used with permission).
A Real Man…
Puts his faith in God – not in himself
Knows he is a child of God
Understands his purpose in life
Is obedient to God’s will.
A Real Man…
Respects himself and other people
Has strength of character as well as body
Behaves with dignity
Accepts responsibility for his actions
Thinks before he acts
Takes pride in his work.
A Real Man…
Is unselfish and generous
Is honest and trustworthy
Is honorable and dependable
Is giving and forgiving
Is thoughtful and sensitive
Is tender and romantic
Is unafraid to be himself.
A Real Man…
Practices self discipline
Controls his temper and passions
Controls his thoughts and desires
Knows right from wrong
Walks away from temptation
Has a strong value system
Stands up for his beliefs.
A Real Man…
Is willing to love sacrificially
Seeks the good of others first
Makes a commitment and keeps it
Protects his wife and family
Knows his body is a temple of the Holy Spirit
Never uses another person.
A Real Man…
Loves God above all things
Trusts God and obeys Him
Leads his family in prayer
Is happy and at peace.
A Real Man…
Is a living witness to God’s love.
(Maurice Blumberg was the founding Executive Director of the National Fellowship of Catholic Men (http://www.nfcmusa.org/), and is currently a Trustee. He is also the Director of Partner Relations for Partners in Evangelism, (http://www2.wau.org/partners/), a Ministry to the Military and Prisoners for The Word Among Us. Maurice can be contacted at mblumberg@wau.org or mblumberg@aol.org.)
Questions for Reflection/Discussion by Catholic Men
1. How do the characteristics of a real man in this article compare with your own understanding of a real man?
2. How do these characteristics compare with the image of men and fathers in such television shows as “Everyone Loves Raymond”? What are some of the striking differences?
3. Which of the characteristics of a real man listed in this article do you agree with? How do you assess yourself against these characteristics? What steps can you take to improve this assessment?
4. Are their any characteristics of a real man listed in this article that you disagree with? If so, why?
