The Week that changed the world, 1

We're already in the middle of the Week that changed the world -- just a couple of days from commemorating the most crucial death that happened in history. I thought of posting something here to make the best of these days, so that at least for some of you, they don't merely pass again with nary a tap on the soul or a thought to what lies beyond the kiss in Gethsemane, the crown, the piece of lumber that stood on Calvary, the empty tomb.

I've taken the liberty of choosing some passages from a book in my mother's collection. It's called In Conversation with God by Francis Fernandez (not to be confused with Conversations with God) and this is the 2nd of the seven volumes -- all quite meaty -- in the entire set.

I'm thinking of posting something everyday till Easter. Here's the first:


Sin, infidelity to a greater or lesser degree, always involves a denial of the highest ideals that Christ has sown inside us. Sin is the great downfall of man. This is why we need to struggle with determination, counting on grace, so that we avoid all grave sins, whether of malice, weakness or culpable ignorance, and then all deliberate venial sin.

But even from our sins, when we are unfortunate enough to commit them, we have to draw advantage, because contrition strengthens the bonds of our friendship with Our Lord.

Heaven is full of great sinners who decided to repent. Jesus always welcomes us and rejoices to see us set out again upon the road we had abandoned, perhaps in small matters.

I'm supporting this from where I am

Man oh man

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[Prof. Harvey Mansfield] says the gender-neutral society - the ostensible aim of feminism - has come at the expense of male-female relationships, at work and at home. He calls for a refinement of the discussion of manliness to balance positive and negative: lose the caddish, harassing, and brutal facets but keep elements of honor, chivalry, and gentlemanliness.

"Manliness can't be repressed because it is in our nature," Mansfield says.

As [Frank Vincent] sees it: Women in every avenue of life are calling the shots - in malls and restaurants, at the symphony and sporting events - while men smile and nod like a dashboard bobblehead doll. His antidote, "A Guy's Guide to Being a Man's Man," is as full of practical tips as Mansfield's is devoid of them. He reminds men exactly how to behave with honor, respect, and gentlemanliness. That includes dating ("don't look too eager"), dressing ("no ties with animals, Looney Tune characters, or Spongebob."), dining ("order New York strip steak for three"), and listening to "man's man" music ("Sinatra was the ultimate"). His formula for men in 2006 is to get a manicure (but no pedicure), money clip (no Velcro wallets), and a DVD of "Saving Private Ryan."

The author of another recent book, "The Secrets of Happily Married Men," was even more emphatic. "There is a backlash against the idea that the ideal man has to be feminized in some way," says Scott Haltzman. A longtime couples counselor, he says he has seen the damage to men who try to go down the touchy-feely road, especially when it's against their will, from the impetus of their wives.

My own experience is that when I spent too much time with my inner woman, my wife felt there was something wrong with herself, and got jealous of the "other woman." I should have taken Haltzman's advice: "Let men be good at what they do, and teach women to better appreciate that."

Gotten enough from the excerpts? Then you probably don't feel the need to read the entire piece, "Manly man? Girly man? Oh, man!" by Daniel B. Wood.

But you probably should know that the article starts off on an amusing scenario. And that it's likely you guys out there will feel some kind of relief that you don't have to master that "getting in touch with my feminine side" nonsense after all...

Instead of "we" and "us," try putting "I" and "me"

"It's not what we eat but what we digest that makes us strong; not what we gain but what we save that makes us rich; not what we read but what we remember that makes us learned; and not what we profess but what we practice that gives us integrity."

- Francis Bacon, Sr., English lawyer and philosopher (1561-1626)

Home of the brave

That's how I think of the United States when I consider days like April 25 -- which is National Pro-Life T-shirt Day in that country. What's in a T-shirt, you say? Apparently, so much that you can get detained at the principal's office or even suspended from school (which has happened in the past). Apparently, some abortion advocates don't like being reminded of the sordid truth that abortion kills and that more and more life-respecting individuals now have the courage to stand their ground.



However, fellas who don their pro-life clothing on this day (or any other day of the year for that matter) are protected by law, thanks to the vigilance and guidance of the Thomas More Law Center, which provides legal backing to those whose free-speech rights are violated. (Related news item about a 2004 incident here)



Home of the brave -- that's the way I see the US when I think of the people who stand up for what's right and inadvertently go against the grain (like this high school student taking part in Stand True Ministries' annual "Day of Silent Solidarity" last year wearing her "Abortion stops a beating heart" T-shirt).


Each of us is a former embryo who has been given the chance to be born. Each of us reading this has been ill at one time or another, has been a "burden" to someone at some point, and will rely on the help of others when old age takes its toll on the mind and the body. But each of us reading this has a voice; those who are still residents of the womb, however, need others to be their voice, to remind everyone that they are human beings, that they are alive and kicking, that their dependence on their moms don't make them any less of a person. And that they -- just like us who have been born -- have that most basic of all rights -- the right to live.



So, be one with the youth across the United States as they celebrate the 4th National Pro-Life T-shirt Day on April 25. You don't have to be in America to wear your pro-life gear or to support the ones participating! Anywhere you are, stand up for life on this day!

By the way, this young lady's T-shirt reads:

"ABORTION: The leading cause of death in America.
200,000 EVERY YEAR."

On the front it reads "HELP CURE ABORTION."

The annual National Pro-Life T-shirt Day is an initiative of the American Life League.

A recent post at Generations for Life has more info about the event, plus links.