Rage, Rage Against the Dying of the Light
The War of Our Time & The Fight to Reclaim Masculinity
The periods that weigh heaviest in the annals of history often contain intense struggles. Of those struggles, by far the most important are struggles for the faith. Consider the rise of David and his line, the establishment of Christendom, and the dawn of the 20th century. The periods in this shortlist, which is not by any means expansive, are of tremendous magnitude. I contend that the current period of history rivals the importance of these periods. Our period contains a great war of which we are likely still in the opening volleys. Christianity is facing an assault, not by philistines, Islam, or fascism, but by secularism, with its many heads, such as trans-humanism and moral relativism. I do not bring our period alongside these periods to compare details, but I think that our period can only be fully appreciated when viewed in such a context.
In reflecting upon these periods, I have identified three aspects of the struggles that I would like to expound upon further. Each period warranted a deeply passionate response, courage in the face of high stakes, and a fervor for the mission. Our war has a unique need - a reclaiming of masculinity. Masculinity is needed in the three aspects brought forward, and I will seek to justify my qualifiers by providing examples: passion exemplified by Christ, courage in the face of high stakes exemplified by Saint Maximillian Kolbe, and fervor exemplified by Saint Peter.
The current crises inflicted upon the world are obfuscations of human nature, the fundamental attributes of female and male, from which flow femininity and masculinity. We understand this from Genesis 1:27, “God created mankind in his image; in the image of God, he created them; male and female he created them.” To react to this confusion by making manhood more approachable and accessible, to soften what a man is into a mere shadow of what he was created to be would perpetuate the confusion, not dispel it. This is why a reclamation of masculinity is of such importance to the war of our time. But I do not seek to make a general call for masculinity as those wiser than I have already put forward this need. Instead, I seek to show uniquely, that the masculinity needed must be passionate, courageous, and full of fervor.
Passion is lacking in the manhood of our time and is a vital aspect of masculinity. There is a modern connotation to passion that has to do with the pursuit of pleasure or lust. This is not in any way the passion I refer to. It is also why I bring Christ forward as the masculine exemplifier of passion. Christ’s displays of emotion throughout the Gospel have the intensity of true passion (which comes from the Greek pathos – to suffer). He shows unconditional love for family, His apostles, and His people; he shows deep sadness at Judas’ betrayal and even righteous anger in the temple. To reclaim masculinity, men must mirror Christ’s passion, including righteous anger in the face of egregious attacks on truth.
I need not expound too much on the stakes of our time, and the courage required. I will simply point to the great struggle for souls that are on the brink of being brought into the secular realm. To exemplify the type of courage needed in masculinity today, I bring forward Saint Maximillian Kolbe. Kolbe volunteered his life in place of a fellow prisoner in Auschwitz, exhibiting outstanding courage in the face of certain death. Why is this an important aspect of the masculinity required today? Because the men who step forward in the war of our time will not be rewarded by any earthly recognition or prize, and will instead face the spite, torture, and hatred of the opponent whose objections will drown out any encouragement.
The final aspect of masculinity that I see as needed for the war of our time is fervor. How is fervor different from the aspects I have already brought forward? Fervor is lasting, unwavering, and unchanging. Fervor is a zeal for the mission, a striking confidence that seems to be on the precipice of absurdity. To the outside observer, fervor might very well be perceived as illogical stupidity, but when placed in pursuit of truth, a reclamation of masculinity, a reclamation of souls – fervor is absolutely needed. Saint Peter is an excellent exemplifier of fervor. The Gospel shows that Peter was not perfect by any means, nor was he even the first to follow Christ. However, Peter’s fervor to know and be with Christ, to defend Him, and to spread the truth of Christ’s resurrection triumphed over his imperfection. His fervor made him petros, the rock on which Christ built his Church. The struggle to reclaim masculinity comes at a time when secular forces are bent on destroying its fundamental aspects. Men will be imperfect, like Peter, especially in the face of vicious attacks, but with fervor, they too can become rocks of the Church.
The war of our time is a fight against secularism that has reached a fever pitch, as seen in its hydra-like attacks on truth. Only a radical representation of truth, down to its most fundamental aspects, such as our existence as male and female will dispel the confusion and fog that secularism has brought into the world. To understand the magnitude of this war, I’ve placed it in the context of some of the most influential periods which were characterized by passion, courage, and fervor. What does the true masculine character look like in our time? That is to be defined by those who step forward to charge boldly into the spiritual war. Though it appears almost easier, faced with the present evils to pick up a sword and shield, as the men of those historic struggles did, victory will not come in that form, but will begin and end with a reclamation of masculinity – a call for men to lead. For men to lead families, lead communities, and lead flocks. For men to build ethical and successful businesses, to act, and not merely to opine in the political realm. For men to boldly proclaim their faith, with passion, courage, and fervor.
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
- Dylan Thomas