Mysticism keeps men sane. ”GK Chesterton
Uninitiated men harm people.
Richard Rohr.
The feminist critique of men is a critique not of men per se but of uninitiated men.
Peter James Cox
This talk will extrapolate the term “ Initiation. ” The apparent dichotomy between 1 Peter 1:16 “be holy for I am Holy” and Mark 10:18 – Why do you call me Good – no one is Good but God. ” Provides a mysterious fulcrum – a rich seem of theological exploration. There is ample opportunity to look at etymology here- but that is not the purpose of this talk. Some things are better left as mystery. Brothers – This talk will be from the heart, about Richard Rohr’s five promises of Male initiation – the mechanism by which holiness is conferred upon men specifically. It has often been said that the longest journey for any Christian – the descent form the head to the heart. Elsewhere – Richard Rohr also talks of the “Descent” to holiness – but that is not for today. Much of the Reformation as an etymological food fight – coinciding with the invention of the printing press. Etymology was certainly at play with regard to Martin Luther’s faith and works argumentation his beloved Catholic Church.
Brothers – suffice to say Francis of Assisi was the truest reformer – Preaching at all times and only when necessary using words. “ This is built upon in a contemporary context by the popular Christian phrase, “ You might be the only Bible someone ever reads. ”Brothers – let us be loyal to Ockham – the simplest of the two solutions is generally the best.
In other words – let us stay on point. The five promises of male inition – as outlined by the Albuquerque Fransciscan Richard Rohr
are as follows
1) “Life is hard” (and yet my yoke is easy and my burden light (Matthew 11:28)
2) “You are not that important” (and yet do you know that your name is written in Heaven? (Luke 10:20)
3) “Your Life is not about you” (and yet I Live now not my own life, but the Life of Christ who Lives in me (Galatians 2:20)”
4) “You are not in Control” (and yet can any one of you, for all your worrying, add a single moment to your span of life? (Luke 12:26)”
5)“You are going to die“ (“and yet neither Life nor death … can ever come between us and the Love of God (Romans 8 38-39) .
Subjectively – I can – and do – testify that as a man – through many personal setbacks, ill health and personal and family tragedy to that the seemingly negative promises of Male Initiation have sustained me through thick and thin. John Paul II was given negative theology by a lay preacher, In the twin crucibles of evil atheist Nazism and perhaps more evil atheist Soviet Communism – he was maintained.
John Paul II called himself “Il Papa Feminista. ” Having read After Richard Rohrs book on male spirituality – Adams Return – The Five Promises of Male Initiation I reflected on the true nature of modern feminism. The modern feminist critique of the typical modern occidental male is generally justified – men in the West are at times spiritually immature. The remedy to this predicament is the five promises of Male initiation – undertaken by the Heavenly Father after genuine submission to His Holy Will – leading to what St Paul describes as “the Circumcision of the Heart. ” As men – we are emancipated – wounded by beauty as Benedict VI described. In John 8: 31 -32 the Lord Jesus Himself says “ The Truth will set you Free. ”Let us examine each of the 5 promises of Male Initiation chronological order.
1) Life is Hard.
The Hebrew meaning of the word “Comfort” is not “Netflix and Chill” – but rather “That comfort which the Israelites received from YHWH – pushing them on , towards the Front Lines. ” Most men receive this form of encouragement from their dear spouses. As the Capuchin Friars of the Renewal of the Bronx emaphasise however – some men are called tohave “No Money, no honey, and a boss. ” Our priests recieve comfort directly from on high. As such it is our prerogative as community to support them in their missions. Life could have been easy for me, brothers. There was ample opportunity for me to stay in Ohio – where I attended Franciscan University of Steubenville. I enjoyed Philosophy, Theology, History and rugby. Instead – the Lord chose to initiate me by bringing me back to Europe – where I attended the school of hard knocks – otherwise known as the University of Life. Things would have been far too simplistic in America – I would now be in a conservative ghetto, netfix and chil. Instead – we are all called towards the front lines in the spiritual battle.
The Corpus Christie procession was a great victory not only for the Cowgate but for Scotland as a whole.
The Lord had me happily return from America to the Seat of the Scottish Enlightenment (in Which our church community of St Patricks is now a shining beacon). From this initial promise – Life is Hard – comes the foundation for the other four.
2) “You are not Important” The second promise of male initiation is actually one of the most emancipating. We look to Our Lady here.
The Hebrew root of the word “Humility” is actually the same root as the verb “Force. ” Concurrently – the knowledge of one’s ABSOLUTE INSIGNIFICANCE before God is vocationally emancipating. Humility is the only way that anything is achieved in Christ’sKingdom. As humble men of faith – we move forward in this lived experience, and take as our example the Mary, Mother of Jesus. Running all this past my earthly mother earlier she in fact highlighted Romans 8 38 – 39, “And yet neither death nor life…. Can ever come between us and the love of God. ” All human life is of PARAMOUNT significance and value.
3) The third Franciscan promise of Male Initiation – Your Life is Not about you.
At the Annunciation Our Blessed Mother said “Be it done to me according to Thy Word. Let me take this opportunity to quote the whole of Our Lady’s Magnificat. As Follows – My Soul magnifies the Lord , And my spirit exalts in God my Saviour , For He has looked upon the humble estate of his servant.
For BEHOLD , from now on all generations will call me Blessed ; For He THAT IS MIGHTY has done great things for me, And Holy, HOLY is His Name. And His mercy for those who fear Him From generation to generation. Our Lady – Queen of Prophets – Pray for us. No more words required Brothers. Our Lady did not exhalt herself with words – instead preferring to ponder things in the silence of Her Heart.
4) You are not in Control.
When his friend and fellow believer Oprah Winfrey asked her guest to define Suffering on American television Richard Rohr defined suffering as, “Not being in Control. ”Like the Great Pope John Paul II – we must always find Christ’s Truth in all things and cultures – as they point back towards the Holy Roman and Apostolic Church
. Therefore at this juncture it is justified to mention again one of foundation Scriptural foundations of Our Fath – the Truth will set you free – yes as Holy men of God if we are honest with ourselves, then we know that Life is Hard…. But Jesus provides The Way, The Truth and the Light.
Incidentally – the idea that things are “never quite perfect” is backed up by classical philosophy. As Plato said – “The perfect is the enemy of the good” (In my family “thought for the day recently I quoted Plato as a reason why we should not take ourselves so seriously – this side of Eternity, perfection will never be achieved). I also mentioned private and state education – the fact that the perfect is the enemy of the Good made me nostalgic for my fun times at St Thomas Aquinas High School and Stevenson College here in Edinburgh. Private school on the other hand seemingly holds perfection up as an idol. The Lord does not tolerate idols.
5) “You are going to die. ”Despite the obvious nature of this fifth and final promise of male initiation, many in the West these days live as if they will never die. Can they take it with them, brothers? Can they take their worldly goods with them brothers? What will become of Trump or Zukerberg’s millions, when the soul leaves the body ! As Freddie Mercury said – who wants to live forever?
We do.
Peter James Cox.
Thanks to all who contributed
