An Open Letter to Catholic Men

From John Hart, Fairhope, Ala., - St. Lawrence chapter

Dear Brothers in Christ,

My hope and prayer for this group is simple. I hope for it to be a forum where men can be encouraged to share their faith, the good and the bad. Faith is the act of believing in something without having it all figured out. In the part where we don't have it all figured out is where fear, distrust, uncertainty and anxiety can lead us to doubt and sin. When people get together, are intentional about sharing their blessings, failures, fears and dreams, Christ can then heal and direct us so we can truly begin to grow deeper. We need each other to walk through this life and to pray for each other. Jesus said blessed are the poor in spirit. The poor in spirit are those that know they need God. When we know that we need God, judgment and pride fall to the side. If we can set aside our pride and open up to what God has in store for us, our home, work, community and personal lives will be transformed.

There is a reason that Christ promised us that where two or more are gathered in His name, He will be present. My prayer is for each of us to share our story. We all come to this gathering with a history of blessings, bad decisions, broken relationships and miracles. Just being here is a miracle for each of us. I hope that as you begin to open up and share your story, your deepest fears and your deepest doubts, you will begin to realize that you are not the "only one". Satan's' main tactic is to isolate us and make us feel like we are the "only one".

So, as we begin to share, some of our inclinations as men will be to give advice, to help someone fix the problem or tell them what they need to believe...... I caution each of us to not immediately respond with such "words of wisdom", but to ask God to show us how this person’s story relates to ourselves and how is God trying to speak to us through our brothers circumstances. When we share our blessings or our brokenness, there is the truth or reality in those circumstances. When the truth is shared, then God can begin to heal those and bless those that are part of that sharing. (The truth shall set us free!) The one sharing will be blessed and the one hearing will be blessed.

My prayer and hope for this group is about men growing deeper in Christ. May we continually seek His face and His agenda, not our own. We will continually pray for His wisdom and guidance for direction, not for the Men of St. Joseph, but for the men of Jesus Christ.

Pax,

John