The Downfall of Mediocrity

A couple of years ago I got involved in a lay community called the Home of the Mother. My cousin is the one I actually am thankful for because she introduced me to these great people of faith. A particular subject always stuck with me one day in a talk given by Father Colum of the Home, in that he said, “We should never settle for mediocrity.” Mediocrity is like a cancer that spreads with the loss of the fire for Jesus Christ. I saw myself at that time as being mediocre. Someone who just goes to church on Sundays and say their prayers. This is of course good to do these things, but are you just doing them because your parents are nagging you to do them then you are doing them for the wrong reasons.

It comes to a point in time where we need to ask for humility and say, “You know am I putting my best foot forward for God.” Or am I settling for second place. Humility is the acceptance of the truth. Humility is a virtue that has definitely helped myself realize this.  I challenged myself to get out of this state of “mediocrity” and work towards a greater life of holiness. I am extremely competitive so there should be no reason for me to settle for small gains in my faith than go for the gold. The vice that brings us down to mediocrity is in large part due to laziness or sloth. Sloth is hard for many to overcome sometimes. I struggle with it, we all have our moments. But with the end goal in mind we have to know that it is not acceptable and that we can do better!

Being a Man Who Repents

Continuing on with the book “Be a Man”, this post is about the importance of being a man who recognizes his faults and acknowledges to do better. I have found in society today that people often have a hard time saying sorry for an act that might have hurt another person. I also believe with the author that with all the temptations in the world today, men are more tempted by the external than women. Men today have a concupiscence to them-a desire to rebel. We all want to be macho men or guys that are without fault in life. Reversing our mindsets a little, men today need to be pillars for their wives in relationships.

Some of you maybe familiar with the term sin. It is a term referred to as a offense against God if you are a Christian. We all commit sins in which we are sorry for. However there is a difference in just saying “sorry God” or being truly sorry and asking God for grace in helping not to commit that sin again. We have to have true repentance and take responsibility by being done with these offenses. We all fear hell-which is external separation from God. So in order to prove we want to be with God we have to have true repentance. If the only reason we come to Christ because we are afraid of hell we are being selfish and acting out of pride.

A couple great quotes from the book:

“Being sorry is not enough, Be a man and grow in relationship with God. Love for God is what will keep you from sin.”

“Control is not in our hands, God is in control, realize that and hand our life over to him.”

We can all make an examination of our conscious and go to confession. These simply acts can help us become better men and be closer to God.  Simply trying is not good enough for God. After confession we need to pray for strength and grace to do better.

“Stop entertaining those vain fears. Remember it is not feeling which constitutes guilt but the consent to such feelings. Only the free will is capable of good or evil. But when the will sighs under the trial of the tempter and does not will what is presented to it, there is not only no fault but there is virtue.”~ St. Padre Pio

Hello Blog World!

This is my first ever blog and I am  looking forward to continue to add value to the blog world! The purpose of this blog is to help men of today be men. Along with that I also just want to add advice about living life with a purpose.  Life is too short not be happy!

A little background info about myself. I was born and raised in Reno, Nevada. I have a strong family background and believe without my parents and family I would not be the person I am today. I am the oldest of five boys. I love to be active and play sports. I also love to cook and dance! I am looking forward to finishing my undergrad in management in May and look forward to new adventures after.

Over the next five days I will be talking about five topics that will be the foundation for my  blog. I hope you enjoy my blog and look forward to hearing any comments that you may have. Happy New Year to All!