chicagocatholicman

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Men, what behaviors or actions might be pushing women away? In this episode, John Heinen and Devin Schadt explore four common traits that can hinder your relationships. Whether you're single or married, we discuss why these actions are off-putting both physically and psychologically. Learn how to reorder your life to avoid these pitfalls and cultivate virtue and love. Tune in to discover how to become the man women truly desire.

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It’s definitely true that the modern “dating” scene is tricky for a Christian man. The most common complaint from men in our side of the fence is that there are no good women left, which isn’t true. But I understand the sentiment.

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Note: In his Angelus address on All Saints Day, Pope Francis told pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square that the Beatitudes are “our identity card, and also the way of holiness,” and that the path to holiness shown by Jesus “is both a gift from God and our response.” Holiness, the Pope explained, “is a gift from God because, as St. Paul says, it is He who sanctifies (cf. 1 Cor 6:11). And this is why the Lord is the first we ask to make us holy, to make our heart similar to His.” “The Father of heaven indeed offers us His holiness, but He does not impose it,” the Pope continued. “He sows it in us, He makes us taste its flavor and see its beauty, but then He awaits our response.” The Pope concluded:

Let us ask ourselves, now: do I ask God, in prayer, for the gift of a holy life? Do I let myself be guided by the good impulses that His Spirit inspires in me? And do I commit myself personally to practicing the Beatitudes of the Gospel, in the environments in which I live? May Mary, Queen of all Saints, help us to make our lives a path of holiness.

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Prayer must be your lifestyle, not just your emergency contact.

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The Standard

(for someone who’s never heard the real version)

Controversial. Outdated. Repressive.

Those are some of the nicer words used to describe today’s first reading. The famous/infamous “wives, submit to your husbands, as to the Lord” chapter from Ephesians.

One priest I know jokes that it’s “best read without comment.” Only he’s not joking.

It’s a chapter with some baggage. Because it’s been used over the years to justify some truly bizarre, unhealthy, and ungodly understandings of marriage.

So it’s no surprise that many people want nothing to do with it.

The thing is, the well-known “wives, submit to your husbands” line? The one that’s been used to do the most harm?

It’s only part of the story. In one sense, it’s the least important part.

The part that (conveniently) gets left out? It’s the important part, the harder part.

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the Church and handed Himself over for her.”

How is that harder? The last part. That’s the standard.

This isn’t some mushy, romantic, Hallmark-Channel-Christmas-movie love.

This is “as Christ loved the Church” love.

That means that you forgive her. At her least forgivable.

This is a Good Friday kind of love.

That means you sacrifice for her. Everything. If that’s what it takes.

That means you take her bullet.

Not because she’s nice. Not because she’s good to you. Not because she’s done anything to deserve it.

But because that’s what “as Christ loved the Church” love is all about.

That is the sacrificial standard that husbands are called to.

It’s a standard that few of us are man enough to live up to.

In case you wondered why no one ever talks about the rest of that chapter of Ephesians.

Today’s Readings

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In his 4th encyclical, Dilexit Nos, Pope Francis strongly encourages the traditional Catholic devotion to the Sacred Heart.

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for all the Orthodox and Catholic religious that I've had the joy of "following" and interacting with, thank you for being a beacon of Christ on the site. I appreciate your presence and am thankful for you being here. If I was a puppy, know that I would have jumped up and down, yipping and wagging my tail Everytime I saw your post. Thank you for all you do (with much love and respect).

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for all the Orthodox and Catholic religious that I've had the joy of "following" and interacting with, thank you for being a beacon of Christ on the site. I appreciate your presence and am thankful for you being here. If I was a puppy, know that I would have jumped up and down, yipping and wagging my tail Everytime I saw your post. Thank you for all you do (with much love and respect).

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Bought a small catechism with explanation from a used book store and it’s just full of someone’s study notes putting the answers in really simple terms. I think my favorite is “evolution = garbage”

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Blessed Chiara Luce Badano’s life is a shining example of how we can joyfully embrace suffering, offer it for others or unite it to Christ’s suffering on the Cross, and then create something good from it.

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