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It never ceases to amaze me how afraid boys are of being "gay."
I have a friend who is kind and strong, who has a sharp sense of rightness and social justice, and who has the charisma and spiritual depth of one who is touched intimately by God. Yet this this boy who perceives so greatly is afraid to share an emotion or be seen crying. He hid a love of poetry and will only talk about philosophy when we are alone or in very select company. We had been discussing Shakespeare and when we parted I said "Good night, sweet prince," one of my favorite lines from Hamlet. And he told me the next day that he was touched, but at the same time scared that I would say such a thing and that he would like it. I call him prince now, but only when we're alone.
It can't have always been this way - this must not be a traditional masculine reaction, for in ages past it was an honorable thing to write poetry, to philosophize, to express love in any terms it existed. Art was commissioned by princes and epic works by kings. In no age have men been totally honest - Men were deceivers ever - but there were times when the people praised it when a man wore out his soul with loving, or wrote in the most tender of terms even of Our Lord. Yet now, in this twisted age, our boys are taught to fear a part of themselves - and intellects and poems and songs and so much else is being lost each day we perpetuate this fear. When a true child of God believes that these holy things are not meant for him, our civilization has failed most grievously.
I was asked once why God would ever call a queer to the priesthood. At the time I responded that perhaps it was to be an example - but we have had noble and brave examples, like Mychal Judge, OFM. I think it's because the Church and the world need someone capable of recognizing beauty in all its forms, and love in all its incarnations. This time more than ever requires that we be not afraid of greatness not afraid of poetry. Our boys are trained to fear nothing but what is good - to be tough rather than compassionate, and to be strong of body rather than of mind. Boys are falling apart left and right because we have taken something holy and necessary from them, and we have given them nothing with which to replace this gift.
So seek beauty, and teach others so.
I have a friend who is kind and strong, who has a sharp sense of rightness and social justice, and who has the charisma and spiritual depth of one who is touched intimately by God. Yet this this boy who perceives so greatly is afraid to share an emotion or be seen crying. He hid a love of poetry and will only talk about philosophy when we are alone or in very select company. We had been discussing Shakespeare and when we parted I said "Good night, sweet prince," one of my favorite lines from Hamlet. And he told me the next day that he was touched, but at the same time scared that I would say such a thing and that he would like it. I call him prince now, but only when we're alone.
It can't have always been this way - this must not be a traditional masculine reaction, for in ages past it was an honorable thing to write poetry, to philosophize, to express love in any terms it existed. Art was commissioned by princes and epic works by kings. In no age have men been totally honest - Men were deceivers ever - but there were times when the people praised it when a man wore out his soul with loving, or wrote in the most tender of terms even of Our Lord. Yet now, in this twisted age, our boys are taught to fear a part of themselves - and intellects and poems and songs and so much else is being lost each day we perpetuate this fear. When a true child of God believes that these holy things are not meant for him, our civilization has failed most grievously.
I was asked once why God would ever call a queer to the priesthood. At the time I responded that perhaps it was to be an example - but we have had noble and brave examples, like Mychal Judge, OFM. I think it's because the Church and the world need someone capable of recognizing beauty in all its forms, and love in all its incarnations. This time more than ever requires that we be not afraid of greatness not afraid of poetry. Our boys are trained to fear nothing but what is good - to be tough rather than compassionate, and to be strong of body rather than of mind. Boys are falling apart left and right because we have taken something holy and necessary from them, and we have given them nothing with which to replace this gift.
So seek beauty, and teach others so.
