What Modern Culture Gets Wrong About Strong Men

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”

“Men do nothing, because we believe we cannot do great things; and incapable of doing great things, we despise the little things that lead to greatness.”

Have you ever heard someone say in reaction to the current cultural crises, international wars, poverty and famine, dismal moral standards, the degeneration of marriage and the family, or other significant challenges, “What can one man do?”

More specifically, have you ever thought something like this:
“I can hardly change myself. How can I change the world?”

That question brings to mind the account of the Old Testament patriarch Joseph, the favorite son of Jacob, whose brothers grew exceedingly jealous, selling him to a group of nomadic gum traders, who in turn sold him as a slave to the Egyptians.

While in Egypt, in prison, Joseph was summoned to interpret Pharaoh’s dream, which he did accurately.
Pharaoh’s dream foretold that the world would benefit from seven years of bountiful, fruitful harvest, which would be followed by seven years of famine.

Because of Joseph’s ability to interpret Pharaoh’s dream, Pharaoh granted Joseph authority over all of Egypt, and made him master of his household, second only to Pharaoh himself.
During the seven years of plenty, Joseph had his people gather grain and retain the harvest in Egyptian storehouses for the purpose of pre- paring for the foretold famine.
When the famine struck the land, the inhabitants of the Middle Eastern world turned to Egypt and its Pharaoh, who directed the people to “[g]o to Joseph; what he says to you do.” It was from Joseph that the people obtained grain for the purpose of making bread for themselves and their families and thus were spared from starvation.

God, through one man, saved the world.

Today, much like during the epoch of the Old Testament Joseph, son of Jacob, there exists a famine—the famine of fatherhood. Wives and children, our Church and parish communities, are starving for authentic leadership.

To whom should we turn to obtain spiritual food, that is, the spiritual leadership that will feed our families?
As Jesus put it: “‘Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master when he comes will find so doing. Truly I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.”

The New Testament Joseph, son of Jacob, is the just man, the faithful servant who was placed by God over the Master’s—that is, Jesus’ household.
Truly, it was Joseph’s duty and responsibility as head of the Holy Family to give Mary and Jesus “bread at the proper time,” to protect, feed, and teach them.
Joseph brought the grain of Jesus into his storehouse in Nazareth, raising Him to be the sacrificial bread that feeds and saves our spiritually starving world.

What can one man do?

By embracing his identity as husband of the Mother of God and father of the Son of God, Joseph became the savior of the Savior; the teacher of the Teacher; the master of the Master; the king of the King of kings; one who fed bread to the Bread of Life and from this Bread we all receive life. One man, with God, can change the world. Joseph’s fatherly identity led him to his ultimate destiny.

Joseph’s fatherhood leads us also to God’s fatherhood.
And what about you?

Do you believe that you, one man, can change the world?
With God all things are possible.

If you allow Joseph to be “Master of your household,” by means of His intercession and by following His persevering example you can become a true man, faithful husband, fearless father, and heroic leader who changes the course of history by leading your family to their destiny.

Just as St. Joseph was placed over his household as head and leader, so also you have been called to be over your household as protector, provider, teacher, and leader. “Go to Joseph, and what he says [by his example], you do.”

Do not believe that you have to be great or powerful by the world’s standards.
In fact, God rejects that line of thinking.
God uses the little and despised of the world to shame the strong and powerful. (See 1 Cor 1:28)

God only asks that you accept your littleness, while also striving to do His will with excellence.

While striving to do that which is excellent, we encounter the reality that we are not what or who we want to be.
We encounter our personal poverty, our weakness.

By embracing that weakness and giving it to God, He can begin doing incredible things in and through you. (See 2 Cor 12:9)

Why?

Because He can trust you not to believe that you are accomplishing anything, but rather, that He is accomplishing this mighty work in and through you.