Bringing Clarity to Uncertainty in Our Church
Have you noticed how men are perceived in pop culture? Homer Simpson, Peter Griffin, or James Bond. Men are often portrayed as goofy, overly sensitive, overly macho, or promiscuous.
Do men have to fit into these categories? What does it mean to be a man today? What is an ideal point of reference for authentic masculinity?
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Recently I have been reading the writings of the New Atheist writer Christopher Hitchens.
I would like to take a moment to explore a question that he poses in his book god is Not Great.
In chapter 13 of his book Hitchens asks the question, “Does religion make people behave better?”
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A friend and I sat at a Tim Hortons catching up over some coffee. Next to us sat two women. They sat quietly, almost as if they were eavesdropping on our conversation. If they were, I didn’t really care. Occasionally they shared a few a comments with each other, but their conversation fizzled out quickly. But one thing struck me about the nature of their conversations.
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Jennine and I are filled with joy for the arrival of our baby daughter Marian Marguerite Garda. Marian is so precious, gentle and beautiful. We can hold her and stare at her for hours on end.
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An Overflow of Joy
Marian is our first child so Jennine and I are experiencing a steep learning curve. She requires attention around the clock. Changing dirty diapers, bathing, and feeding is a cycle that we repeat countless times in one day. This cycle has resulted in a lack of sleep for both of us and some considerable physical discomfort for Jennine.
Yet, Jennine and I, have been filled with overflowing joy. For me, it only takes a look into Marian’s tiny blue eyes, hear her sniffle, or hold her close to me and all the pleasures and comforts I once cherished cease to matter.
One of my favourite parts about the Christmas season is that people adopt a spirit of giving. Most recently I was overjoyed to see the trending of #GivingTuesday on social media.
But how should we give? What is the standard by which we measure our giving?
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I was helping my mom move into her new home. A friend of her’s who was also lending a hand became intrigued at my profession. I explained to her my role as a youth minister. I also shared with her my conversion to Catholic Christianity.
The gentle conversational tone of the lady changed. She spoke as if she took offence to my story. Later, I found out she was a non-practicing Catholic.
She argued that she doesn’t need a minister, priest, or church telling her how she should live her faith life. Her relationship is between her and Jesus and that’s all that matters.
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The above argument is popular, but it is faulty. Here are THREE reasons why we can’t have an order of Jesus with no Church on the side.
In the final year of my undergraduate degree I took a class on postmodern politics. In this small, but lively class, one of the “hot topics” was the new waves of feminism.
In one class a student posed the question if prostitution can be viewed in a positive light in today’s western culture. A young woman in our class responded, “Yes, if she is a strong woman.”
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