A lot can happen in those 40 days, but usually, it goes a little something like this...
Branding yourself Catholic is hard work, and only the most elite can even begin to do it. There are no days off, no study breaks, and absolutely no nap times.
I remember seeing someone on the core team that was a sophomore just like I was and I quickly thought to myself, “Man what is this guy going to teach me about Jesus? He’s my age and doing the same things I’m doing.” It definitely struck my curiosity.
What should’ve been an inconsequential comment ended up being the beginning to a long journey of body-consciousness. Over time, my “buff” body didn’t change and I became increasingly uncomfortable in my own body. I sucked at every sport I tried, never fit right in my clothing, and had a terrible sweet tooth.
So can men and women really be just friends??
When we look to the Lord to satisfy our desire for happiness, we can become addicted to the gifts God gives, spiritual highs, the Catholic title, etc. We fall into this false mentality that God’s plan for us is what will bring us the most happiness. But the truth is that we are not meant to desire God’s plan because it makes us happy.
This vision of true, Catholic manhood isn’t new, “progressive,” or “liberal.” It’s actually affirmed by the way Jesus lived and ministered in the ancient world -- it precedes many of our “traditional” notions of masculinity by thousands of years.
It definitely seems easier to avoid conversations on faith with our Atheist brothers and sisters, but Jesus calls us to be bold witnesses.
10 books, what they're about, and why you should read them.
