Feb. 22, 2018: Chair of St. Peter
Feb. 22, 2018: Chair of St. Peter
The Need for Brotherhood
“People live not only alongside one another, but also in manifold relationships. They live for each other; relating to one another, they are brothers and sisters…”
-St. John Paul II
Our life begins, ideally, with the free gift of love from a mother and father, then broadens into a band of brothers and sisters (either in the immediate family or through the life of our community). Our brothers and/or male friends, like our fathers, are like mirrors into which we look for the reflection of what masculinity is, and how we live it. Sometimes the reflection is clear and encouraging, sometimes it’s distorted, blurred or broken.
In our hyper-sexualized culture, we hear ridiculous words like “bromance” and “man-crush”, and we may turn away in fear from a man’s fundamental need for friendship with other men. Sadly, for various reasons, we live a more isolated life. The truth is, men need other men from whom we learn the craft of masculinity. We need brothers to journey with to understand the mystery of becoming a man, of our unique work in the world, our vocation and of our call to care for and cultivate life with our sisters.
Being a brother is about sincerity and faithfulness, not bravado or competitiveness. Brothers are attentive to the people around them. For other men, they build up relationships. Brothers are called to inspire, defend and encourage one another. Walls to protect in times of trouble, and to lean against in times of struggle.
Brothers are called to cultivate and care for the shared life of their sisters. There is a powerful attractiveness to a man who is known as a brother to every woman, seeing her as a true sister in a common humanity. Life is our task to promote and protect; for each person is made from the same clay, loved by the same Father and worthy of honor, respect, love. How would it change your view of women (and femininity) if you acted first as their brother, and looked on them first as your sister? How would it change your view of other men (and masculinity) if you acted first as their brother, instead of a competitor or someone to impress?
Challenge for all:
Jesus is our brother. He could have only been our distant king, but chose also to be a brother “who calls us friends.” And then he went even further. He was a Servant Leader who taught us to wash our brother's feet. So we too must love and serve our brothers in simple ways.
Take time to serve someone today in a hidden way at work, or school, or among your family members or friends. Be sure nobody sees what you’ve done. You could pick up those towels on the floor, put away the cereal boxes, clean up the break room at work. Or even pay anonymously for the car behind you at a drive-through. Serve in sincere love since you too have been served (and saved) by Love.
Reflection from “Rise: 30 Day Challenge for Men”
https://www.menriseup.org
