The fall of the southern gentleman and belle

About 2 weeks ago, I noticed something about our southern society. We are known for having “southern gentlemen” and “southern belles.” To me, the southern gentleman is the one who always lets the lady go first. He opens the door for her, always says “yes ma’am” and “no ma’am”, and treats her for who she is—a person. He doesn’t offer to get the door or her luggage because he believes her to be incapable, but instead out of respect and devotion to Jesus Christ. That’s right, there may not be many Catholics down here, but there are a ton of Christians in general. And the same goes for the southern belle. She treats the man with respect and always finds herself in Church on Sunday. She is also a modest dresser. Although she may be a bit flirtatious, she is always living a chaste life.

But what I noticed 2 weeks ago is that these two stereotypes are going by the wayside. I am noticing the fall of the southern gentleman and southern belle. Instead of the old focus on God, country, and community, we now seem to see a society focusing on self, pleasure, and the current moment. We seem to live in a self-centered society that has come from (and continued) the sexual revolution. So many men no longer treat the lady for who she is, but what she can be for him. But of course it doesn’t help when the girl shows more skin than the amount of cloth she has on her body. So the same also goes for some women, who also fight to do things for themselves. But don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with that. It’s just that, in the end, there is nothing to prove. Women are capable of doing anything a guy can—this has been shown.

My fear—this is seeping through into all parts of society. This self-centered pursuit of success and pleasure at the cost of others has led our nation and world into so many conflicts. All we care about is what we are about. Thus, crime is on the rise in many cities, and wars are going on all over the world. But what about the other person? Why do we have to force another country into our way of life? Instead, why don’t we peacefully open the door for them to walk through as they know to? In the same way, why does a guy have to see a woman for what she can give him, as opposed to who she is?

Update #2

Alrghty... so it is really getting harder and harder to get a good internet connection at night around here... but anyway, here we go.

So I went to Shaw, MS, to serve a funeral that Fr Tom was preaching at. Shaw is a dying town with a small Catholic parish. Fr Don Deriveaux is the Sacramental Minister for it, but he does not live there. Fr Tom is the only priest in the county. But as I was sitting with the two priests (who are 66 and 79 yrs. old), I realized something. Here I am, looking up to these two hard working, holy priests. They are the old, wise priests of my time. But when they were in my shoes (Fr Tom was 26 when he was ordained), there was another group of old, wise priests that they looked up to and learned from. So in a sense, I am learning from the priests of our diocese who have already left this life. Only, I am learning from them, indirectly, through Fr Tom, Fr Don, Msgr Glenn, etc. And at the same time, all of these priests are above in heaven, still exercising their priesthood, the Priesthood of Christ, by praying for me and the other seminarians. On top of this, they are up there waiting for Msgr Glenn, Fr Don, and the rest to come an join them in their new work! And, God willing, in 3 years, I will share that common bond with them when I am ordained to the Presbyterate Order (to distinguish this Priesthood from the Common Priesthood). How awesome is that?

It seems that the bulk of my time here is built around the Eucharist. I recognize this at school since we celebrate Mass daily at 11:45. But here it is at a different time everyday. And some days, I celebrate it up to three times. Today I did it twice (daily Mass at 7am, and the funeral Mass at 2pm). Who am I to have such an oppurtunity? But it is not just about doing it because it has to be done. Rather, it is about the joy of praying the Heavenly Feast with your community, the parish. Not everyone will be able to make it at the exact same time. So the other Masses are needed. But what a privelage it truly is to be able to celebrate the Supper of the Lamb with so many wonderful people! It's the closest thing we have to heaven. And as a Priest in Mississippi, you get to experience it so much! What more could you ask for??