Combative Reflection

I have blogged before on this topic, and to a certain extent, this blog was born out of this topic.  Still the question remains, what is going on with today’s men?  How is it that men have become something that well, we are not supposed to be?  All questions, good questions.   Some of the questions I receive need to be brought out.  When people who don’t know me ask, ‘Why do you want to be a priest?’ or ‘Are you gay?’ There is clearly a preconceived notion, in part perpetuated by the media and scandals that could easily lend to this notion.  How do we fix it?

I am reminded of the quote from Pope Leo XIII, ‘Catholics are born for combat!’  If that is the case, then where did all the soldiers and warriors go?  More specifically, where have all the men gone?  What has happened to chivalry?  Even in my pre seminary days, I was taught enough common sense, to give up my seat to a woman or to an elderly person, to hold a door open for the next person, to not use 758 swear words to describe in so far as much as a baby seal.  If my then girlfriend was insulted or assaulted, I would defend!  After meeting Jesus, and in discerning priesthood, I don’t think much of that has changed.  Perhaps it is being purified?  Lord knows I have many weaknesses and the seminary is a place of formation where God shows you those weaknesses CLEARLY!  However, a coward I am not! 

The time has come for men to pray, stand up, get a backbone, get off the porn, (which by the way, can turn a dude feminine), and join the fight!  The fight is God vs the devil.  To be frank it is Jesus who fights through us, but as men we need to be just that, MEN!  At this point, I will speak from experience, that followers of this blog already know, but a few things about my leisure interests:  I enjoy Martial Arts, particularly Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Sanda (Kung fu kickboxing), as well, I enjoy firearms, hunting and fishing!  I also enjoy cooking!  I do not enjoy finger painting or abstract ‘art’ or interior decorating.  I don’t render judgement on those that do, but I would truly appreciate it that ‘they’ wouldn’t constantly render judgement on me. 

My name is Marco, and as of my discernment Jesus is calling me to priesthood as me.  He (Jesus) will amplify my strengths and purify my weaknesses in order to mold me into the priest that God willing He wants me to be.  I remain to date a warrior faithful to prayer, Eucharist and the Blessed Mother!  My mission to remain a faithful servant of Jesus Christ!  To draw souls closer to Him, so that His Salvation be made known!  My foundation is Jesus in the Eucharist!  My weapons are the Breviary, and the Rosary!  My enemy is the lukewarmedness/open hostility of the world.  My request is that you continue to sustain me in prayer,…. Without prayer, I am dead corporeally and in the soul.  

As Pope Francis said,................... 'Be a man!'  

Our Lady of Fatima,.........................................................................................Ora pro nobis!

Getting 'Tapped' and Choked out to Humility!

What a title!   How does a seminarian come up with such a title?  Well, my main enemy is ego and pride.  Deadly sins, mortal sins.  Jiu Jitsu helps get that issue under control.  The ultimate release, Training!  Getting on the mats and leaving it all there, the sweat, sometimes blood and the demolition of the ego.  Ahh the ego,..my ultimate enemy!

Where have you been(?) has been the ultimate question, the last few months, as my blogging is becoming more rare than a Big Foot sighting.  The truth is that, I sometimes, (nearly always,..) just don’t have the time to blog the way I used to.  Another confession?  I now blog for Jesus, and not for me.  In the past, I blogged in the name of Jesus, but trying to build a name for myself.  The past few months, well I have been changing, I believe for the better.   Jesus wants holy priests, not internet/marketing celebrities! 

To be a priest is to completely die to oneself.  That being said, the ego remains the majour obstacle for any progression in holiness.  The enemy, the devil, clearly knows this and is ready to exploit this.  My strengths?  The whole ‘in your face thing?’  Well, it is also my biggest weakness!   I need to learn, to re learn, to practice and to accept ‘humility!’  Easier said than done!   The question remains, where does BJJ (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu) fit into all of this?  Well,… The answer is simple.  Pastores Dabo Vobis shows four key elements to a healthy balanced seminarian who will (God willing) turn into a healthy balanced priest!  My ‘human dimension’ is In BJJ, you spar full blast, you realize that can never lose but only learn, however when you see yourself falling into the same routine and your side control defense needs work, or your defense from the mount position is mediocre, then you are encouraged to train from those positions!  

That means you will be tapped and choked, (maybe even from the white belts!) BUTTTTT,.you will also learn!

Humlity?  Loads of it!  Think of St Dismas (The good thief on the Cross!) 

St Dismas,................................................Ora pro nobis!