Be Like Braveheart, Fr. Chavez Tells Men [Ecumenical]

Defend Life ^ | January/February 2009 | n/a

[Pyro7480]

...Fr. Phillip Chavez said in a [January 15] talk at the Rock Creek Knights of Columbus Council in Bethesda....

"In his nature, a man is called to protect his family...state, his religion; he is called to protect life."

"For a man, everything is conquest, all is battle, whether he's mowing the lawn, playing pool, or winning the heart of his wife," said Father.

"Every man wants to be known as a man who is willing, able and ready to lay down his life for what he believes."

Men today have the same warrior instincts and natural vocations to be protectors and defenders, but they are being emasculated by a society determined to feminize boys, the priest charged.

"In our culture, boys are often trained not to stand up for anything. Today in some schools, the boys must play games where everybody is a winner, no one is a loser, and they're not to keep score."

"How is a boy to learn about competition in battle and to strengthen his nature?" Father demanded.

"This is one reason why he fails to stand up, because he's not validated and strengthened and led in these masculine gifts."

The other major factor holding him back is fear....

To overcome fear, said Father, "What will help you above all things, gentlemen, is your meditation of Jesus Christ on the cross."

When St. Thomas Aquinas listed seven reasons why Jesus experienced death on a cross, first on his list ("This may surprise you!" said Chavez) was: To help men overcome their fear.

Aquinas quoted St. Augustine: "The primary reason that Jesus chose the cross [as His means of death] is to show that men need not fear the worst kind of death, so that we can overcome our fears and lead a life of righteousness."

[Pyro7480]

I personally know Father Chavez, and he is a true motivational speaker -- speaking out to motivate men to be "leaders, protectors and providers," which is their vocation whether their single, married, or religious.

[Pyro7480]

Catholic ping!

[marron]

I think I like this guy.

[cthemfly25]

Awesome. Thanks so much.

[Crolis]

I agree.

[prayerfullywaiting]

I love this guy. When my boys were in school I was surprised at the “gender neutral” attitude. I really had a hard time with that. One of my boys used to get bullied all the time. I tried to do the school thing like say tell my son “wear a smile on your face” and all the stupid stuff they told me to tell my son. One day I got so angry I told him to pull that kid into the bathroom and give a bloody nose. I told him we’d live with the consequences. My son couldn’t do it. This bullying went on for years. I think if he would have punched the kid I would have thrown my son a party.
My daughter on the other hand. She would beat one of the kids that beat up on my son.She came up from behind and knock one of them up side the head with a book. The guy was so embarrassed he backed off. Let’s let our boys be boys. I’m not talking about violence...but a some point enough is enough...

[Desdemona]

I've actually somewhat come to the conclusion that part of the problem with men is the demise of the trade guilds and the entire apprenticeship system where boys were mentored into being men. Nothing like that exists as an institution anymore. Sad. It's not simply that they are being emasculated or that women are invading what were once men's places, no one is there to guide them.

And the whole "nobody wins" thing, IMO, needs to be buried as deeply as possible. It's true that not everyone is good at everything, but each has their gifts and those gifts should be valued, developed and used for everyone's good. That means it has to be recognized when someone is better at any one task than others.

[prayerfullywaiting]

I agree ....

[Bigg Red]

I personally know Father Chavez, and he is a true motivational speaker ....

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He sounds like a very, very wise man. We need more like him in the Church.