In the morning before work, one of my favorite books to read is Lives of the Saints by Fr. Alban Butler. For each day of the year it has a brief writing about the Saint of the Day, followed by a reflection that is a great help in my daily meditations.

I wanted to share two reflections from last week that really struck a chord as a father of young children. The first was from August 16th, The Feast of St. Joachim, Confessor...

Fathers have a hidden but most important part to play in the lives of their children. They can lead their children into paths of holiness and by so doing their own children may be for them a source of numerous spiritual blessings.

I could use all the spiritual blessings I can get! God's gift of my children is an amazing grace, one that I am thankful for each day. The least I can do in thanksgiving is to teach them to love God and help them grow up to be saints.

The second was from August 13th, The Feast of St. John Berchmans, Confessor...

Let us remember these beautiful words of St. John Berchmans: "If I do not become a saint when I am young, I shall never become one."

Both reflections really made me think about my children, and particularly their eternal souls. Many thoughts entered my head questioning my parenting and teaching, my relationship with their mother, how hard I was working, and so on. Was I doing enough? Was I doing everything I could or should be doing? Of course, the easy answer is no, as every day I find things I can do better and give more to God, my wife, and my children. But that answer made me realize that I had taken another step on my journey toward growing closer to God and eternal life with Him. By the Grace of God I realized that I wanted to do more spiritually and be a better Catholic, Husband, and Father. Moving forward, one small step at a time, is one of the most important things I can do for my wife and children.

St. Joachim and St. John Berchmans, Pray For Us!

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Just wanted to share a quick note about this talk I listened to. It's call "Manager of His Home" and it's by Steve Maxwell of www.titus2.com. It's packed with scripture references and insight specifically for homeschooling dads and their homes. If you get a chance, I highly recommend it! Mr. Maxwell really dives into the husband as the head of the home and family and helps point you in the right direction to raising and teaching your kids and strengthening your relationship with your wife in the process. I've only listened to disc one so far, but am looking forward to part 2.

For more info, you can visit www.titus2.com. We discovered the site from my sister-in-law (who I borrowed the talk from as well) as they feature products for helping you organize and schedule your home and homeschool. Homeschooling is a very difficult endeavor, but the rewards are countless. If you're thinking about it or have any questions, drop me an email at jeremy@goodsaints.com.

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Mary brought me a flyer from our parish about something called e5 Men. After looking at it, I remember reading something about it before, but this time it really struck me that I have to do something! So I am joining many other husbands and offering a day of fasting for our wives. Once reading the site I stumbled upon joining the e5 Special Forces which is fasting more than one day per month for other women in your lives. Needless to say that's all I needed. Here's a summary of e5...

The e5 Man fasts for his bride to imitate Jesus as described by Saint Paul in his letter to the Ephesians, chapter 5 (for which e5 is named). Fasting is eating only bread and water.

Jesus made a bodily sacrifice on the cross for His Bride the Church to present her to God the Father "without spot or wrinkle." (Eph 5:27) By fasting for our earthly bride and joining our sufferings to Christ's we intercede for grace for our brides. At the same time our act of bodily love in union with Christ accelerates our own conversion.

By making this sacrifice for the women in our lives we live out the essence of the gospel through a very particular act of self denial. To lay down one's body out of love for another is the central message of the gospel.

Join me on this journey! Visit e5men.org for more info.

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