Questions for Reflection/Discussion by Catholic Men
1. Do you believe that “we need the support of other Christian men” to “combat the trends of our modern society”?
2. As you read and reflected on the Scripture passages above, which Scriptures touched you the most?
3. According to these Scriptures, why is it important for men to support one another?
4. If you are part of a Catholic men’s group, how has this impacted your life?
5. If you are not part of a Catholic men’s group, have these Scriptures motivated you to join or start one? Why or why not?
[Editor's Note: This article is the fifth in a series on the theme, “Being Brothers in Christ — A Special Gift of God.” Click here to find the first article, second article, third article and fourth article.]
As Catholic men, we all know how difficult it is for men and their families to “thrive” in today’s culture. All of us have ever-increasing demands on our time and energies. It is not hard to see the collapse of traditional values and their support structures. Of course, there is a big difference between just surviving and thriving. We can be just surviving as a family, trying to keep a lid on everything, or we can be thriving as a Godly family. How many men know what it’s like to go through a difficult time when we are just trying to keep a lid on everything, so our families don’t explode? I know there are times when I have.
I believe that if we are to thrive (and not just survive), then we as Catholic men have to be willing to combat the trends of our modern society. For this to happen, we need to go deeper in our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. We need the power of the Cross and the Holy Spirit. Additionally we need the support of other Christian men.
The Scriptures have much to say about why men need support of other men. In Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 and 4:12, this is brought home:
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)
Where a lone man may be overcome, two together can resist. A three-ply cord is not easily broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:12)
Why is this true? Listen to what Proverbs 27 has to say:
As iron sharpens iron so one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)
And in Psalm 133, we hear these words:
How good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity! (Psalm 133:1)
Why is it so good and pleasant? Proverbs 17 gives one of the reasons:
A friend loves at all times. A brother is there to help in times of adversity. (Proverbs 17:17)
Listen to the words of Jesus on what happens when two or more of us gather together in agreement, and in his name:
“Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:19-20)
Here is another important reason for men to meet together and support one another.
“Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24)
Finally, 1 John tells us what it means to “walk in the Light” as Christians:
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another” (1 John 1:7)
We at the National Fellowship of Catholic Men are seeing these Scriptures come alive in men’s lives through the continued increase in the formation of Catholic men’s fellowships groups all across the country. In these groups, Catholic men are building relationships with one another, deepening their faith, and supporting one another through prayer.
If there is no Catholic men’s fellowship group in your parish, consider beginning one. If you need some help, come to the National Fellowship of Catholic Men website. The NFCM website currently offers over 20 different resources for small Catholic men’s fellowship groups. They can be ordered from the Resources page on the NFCM website. The NFCM also offers several materials on how to start and lead a men’s group, including: “A Starter Kit for Catholic Men’s Groups,” A Starter Kit for Catholic Men’s Group Facilitators,” “Parish Men’s Group” video, and a DVD-Based Facilitator Training course. They can be ordered from the Training page on the NFCM website.
(Maurice Blumberg is Executive Director of the National Fellowship of Catholic Men. This article is part of NFCM's sponsorship of the Catholic Man channel. Contact NFCM at P.O. Box 86381, Gaithersburg, MD 20886 or e-mail them at info@nfcmusa.org.)
Reflection Questions on Page 2
