December 8

FRATERNITY is a few good men

And the angel of the LORD appeared unto Gideon, and said unto him, “The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valor.”  ~ Judges 6:12

The Midianites had been preying on the Israelites and their land.  Gideon had lost all of his brothers in battle, but God put a thought in his heart to save his people.  He sent messengers throughout the land to form a band of fighting men.  At first, an army of 32,000 men was formed.  But many were not sure the LORD would lead them to victory.  So God told Gideon to send home all those who were afraid to fight.  Gideon saw that a small army of brave men would be better than a multitude of cowards, so he told anyone that was afraid to fight to go home.  He was down to 10,000 men.  But God said that he needed only the best and bravest men, so he told Gideon to send his men to the water and He would show him which men to keep.  At the river, almost every man laid down his weapon and quenched their thirst.  God told Gideon to send these men home.  But a few men merely caught a handful of water and remained en garde.  God said to Gideon that these were the men who would set Israel free.  They numbered only 300 strong.  ~ adapted from the book of Judges  

Should our council leadership concern itself with membership quotas just to increase our numbers?  Or should we build a small corps of men who acknowledge a deep-seated hunger for spiritual nourishment and Catholic fellowship – men who will actively come together to make a difference?

Man to man shall be friend and brother.  ~ Gerald Massey

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