If I were to ask my parents if they knew what love is I am quite positive I would get an entirely different answer than if I were to ask a young couple in their college years.  The word "love" is bantered about carelessly, even though many are afraid to either admit their love or to speak it out.  Love can mean so many things to so many people...it can have theological and philosophical meanings...even Popes have written documents on love.

So what can I add by entering into the fray?  Not much in the big picture, but when it comes to men living out their calling to imitate Christ in their homes, it means defining a very specific goal and action for that role.  You see, men, as called by God to act as the priest, prophet, and king in their home are called to a very specific goal of their love. This goal, this end game is to see all of our family one day in Heaven.  This goal, this ultimate end, is also the ultimate good, the Beatific Vision as it is called by theologians should guide all of our actions in the home.  

Recently I was asked what I thought about video games in the home.  When judged by the ultimate goal of eternity with our Heavenly Father, the answer seems clear to me.  Unfortunately this clarity is not shared by many.  The reason for this may be that many still have a somewhat worldly way of looking at things...I know I suffer from this quite often.  Take for instance my post during the spring in which I confessed "motorcycle lust";  how does purchasing, riding, and enjoying the two-wheeled beast help me obtain my ultimate goal?  If I am honest I will say that it won't, in fact, it could be a great hindrance to me achieving my goal.

Back to the video games.  This, of course, is a question faced by many christians these days.  Entertainment of all sorts is thrown at us in a constant barrage...sports, games, electronics, movies, parties....only the strongest ones make it through unscathed (and I don't claim to be one of them).  These things are like grenades thrown into the home, if we don't thrown them out they are going to blow up and wreak havoc on our family.  Why do I call them grenades?  Well, let's go back to how we judge the worth of something, does it help us and our family obtain our goal of eternity with God?  In my mind, video games are the most clear...if anything they steal a soul away from Christ by initiating the child into immoral fantasy where killing, maiming, stealing, and gore are acceptable.  It also draws them into an unreality, ie, driving, sports, fighting, etc, all without having to lift more than a thumb.  I have even heard a child state that he was great at football, even though he never actually played outside of his family room!  Once confronted with the reality of slippery grass, flying pigskins, boys larger than himself, and the need to run, jump, throw, and catch...he was totally flumoxed.
So the grenade is that thing that forced its way into the home, blows up, all to the destruction of the home and its members, in this case, video games.

Now back to love.  As men we show our love in many ways, but the most important is to "love" our wife and children into Heaven.  While kisses and hugs, flowers and presents may get us a listen from our family, in the end, our leadership, our Christ-like bearing, our sacrificial manliness will be the greatest help to our family.  In these times it is like a heavy snowstorm leaving three feet of snow on the ground.  The true TMM man will shovel the path to clear a way for his family, and then guide his wife to the path, going before her, and then he will call his children, guide them, and at times carry them along the path.  Is this what we do?  or do we just throw them into the snow?

Chris