Having just posted a piece on the wonders of feminine genius, I’m going to criticize the present fad for what might be termed “macho-Catholicism”, the trend to accentuate the manliness of Catholic men and to give the impression that faith, hope and charity go hand in hand with football, hunks and chicken wings! I’m thinking of shows such as “Crossing the Goal” on EWTN or the sort of macho-evangelism that struts its stuff at Catholic men’s conferences. Speaking personally, I like football (the global variety as distinct from its American namesake) and like nothing better than pumping iron at my local gym and hiking in the mountains when I get the chance, but the real test of my manhood has very little to do with these manifestations of my masculinity and more to do with my ability to be a good father to my children and a good husband to my wife. Ultimately being a man is about fatherhood, not football.
All of the above being said, there is perhaps a place for macho-Catholicism as long as it doesn’t take itself too seriously. Here’s a link to the right sort of light-hearted macho-Catholicism:
I heartily disagree. Growing up and seeing the emasculation of men in culture, on tv, and worst: in the Church, I dont mind a little feather puffing by guys that maybe have never really understood the authenticity of manhood.
With manhood comes all the things you mentioned, so I don’t think you can take things part-and-parcel.