Disclaimer: Guest articles represent the opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this site owner or any affiliated staff.

 by: E. Scorpio

Matthew 13:22
“He also that received seed among the thorns is he that hears the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.”

Traditional Catholic teaching instructs that God will recognize and judge each according to the fruits produced during the respective times on earth. Which fruits precisely? According to St. Paul, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22–23)

While not unrelated, per se, the Scriptures refer to other fruits as well. Consider Psalm 127:3, “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.”

Likewise instructive is Jeremiah 29:5-6, “Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease.”

Therefore, we can infer that if we are to be “in the world,” as it were, the Lord has prepared for this and has expectations therein. Christians are to reject these deceits of wealth, and just as importantly, procreate and properly raise up the next generations of Catholic crusaders. Children are, in a very special way,  pleasing to the Lord, for, “But Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.'” (Matthew 19:14)

In my traipsings through the comments boards of the internet, I have recently had interactions with a particularly concerning modern philosophy and its proponents. The movement is known as MGTOW, and it is an acronym for Men Going Their Own Way.

This mindset is not necessarily a new phenomenon, though perhaps relatively young in its current digital incarnation. This writer first ran across it close to two decades ago. At that time, it was more a reaction to third-wave feminism and was associated more with men’s rights, with a small offshoot consisting of so-called, “pick-up artists.”

In more recent years, it has evolved, if you will, to the creation of another subgenre called Intentionally Celibate, or InCel for short. While there is nothing wrong with celibacy in and of itself, indeed, St. Paul lived thusly and recommended it to be in greater subservience to the Faith. “But I want you to be free from concern. One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 7:32)

If this was the case, however, there would perhaps be very little cause for concern. We know, though, that in the modern world, there are young men addicted to pornography at epidemic levels. Socially, there is a perverse correlation in the aggressiveness of young women, and the timidity or repugnance of young men. These male youths have been cowed into passivity by a feminist society and fearful of gynocentric courtrooms and “hashtag” movements.

There is no doubt women share in the blame of this zeitgeist, however, the traditional position has to be that of patrinomic leadership. Again, St. Paul writes, “Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.” (Ephesians 5:22-24)

Moreover, tradition offers other solutions as well. Perhaps it would be wise to follow the practices of our forefathers, and realize that we are responsible for our children and grandchildren until the end of our natural lives. Educate your children in your homes and in your Church. Arrange for marriages for your sons and daughters with other Faithful Catholic families. Once more, reference Jeremiah 29.

Pray for these young men. In my interactions with them they are so angry, hopeless, and lonely. They must be encouraged to find wonderful Christian women, of which there is no lack. At the very least, he must be strong and Faithful enough to lead a family into the Church. If he resists still, pray and encourage for a consideration of clerical vocations. Above all, continue to pray for our people, our cultures, and our Church.