Is She Worth Dying For?

Fathers of Saint Joseph – Meeting Notes

Date: Saturday, 2nd August 2025

Location: St Joseph’s SMA Church, Blackrock, Cork

Photo by Marcelo Bastos, 25th May 2025

Summer Meeting Format

For the summer months, our group is gathering at St Joseph’s SMA Church instead of our usual location at St Mary’s Dominican Church. The format is slightly different: at SMA, we begin with Mass and follow it with our group discussion. Although unintended, at least for me, the Scripture readings from Mass naturally shape the tone and direction of our conversations, offering a starting point for reflection and helping us stay grounded in the Word.

Mass Readings

The first reading was from Leviticus 25:1, 8–17, where God speaks to Moses about the Jubilee year—a time for release, restoration, and proclaiming liberty in the land.

The Gospel was Matthew 14:1–12, which recounts the death of John the Baptist. It reflects a culture where desires rule over reason and virtue. Herod, influenced by pride and lust, orders John’s execution to impress a girl, the daughter of Herodias, and save his reputation.

Welcoming a New Member

We were pleased to welcome a new father to the group, who found us through this website after being introduced to the book we are using by a priest. His presence added great value to our conversation, and helped balance some absences on the day.

Reflection Reading

Book: LEAD: The Four Marks of Fatherly Greatness by Devin Schadt

Pillar II: Embrace Your Essence [Embracing Woman]

Essay 64: Is She Worth Dying For?

This week’s reading focused on womanhood and the dignity of women. The author reflects on how man’s mission is too great to be fulfilled alone. God, in His wisdom, gave us a helper—“another self”—to walk with us.

He explains that “Eve” means life-giver, and that women, by their nature, inspire strength, courage, and love. Their core mission is to be mediators of life and love. The Virgin Mary is described as the pinnacle of this mission—pure, faithful, and worthy of devotion.

St Joseph is held up as a model. He trusted Mary and sacrificed himself daily in humble obedience and service—accepting humiliation, celibacy, and hardship to protect and serve her and Jesus.

Takeaway from the Reading and Call of Action

The author warns that one of the greatest ways a man can fail his children is by withdrawing from his wife—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. If a husband embraces the difficulties of the relationship with love, the marriage will be blessed and strengthened.

A powerful reflection followed on page 446, with questions such as:

• Do I live as a man who gives himself in love, imitating Christ who gave Himself for His Bride, the Church?

• When I see a woman, do I see her as someone to bless and protect, or do I allow myself to fall into distorted thoughts?

Group Reflections

• We shared honestly that marriage has its struggles and that all couples go through seasons of challenge.

• We discussed how sexuality is a meaningful part of marriage but only one part. Over time, relationships mature into deeper companionship—like the love between brother and sister described in Song of Solomon 4 [Thou hast ravished my heart, my sister, my spouse...]

• There was reflection on how culture today often treats marriage as a transaction or means of personal satisfaction. But when seen through the lens of eternity, marriage becomes something sacred—a path to holiness.

• One member recommended the film Nefarious, which, despite being presented as a horror film, offers a serious take on spiritual warfare and confusion in our culture: IMDb link.

• We noted that Catholicism is often misunderstood or misrepresented today, and that talking about faith—like offering to pray for someone—can be seen as offensive or patronising.

• We mentioned how many were influenced in the past by the writings of popular atheist speakers like Dawkins and Hitchens. It was suggested that a stronger foundation in faith and understanding might have helped withstand their arguments.

• A timely reminder was shared from Hosea 4:6: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”

Final Thoughts

Our meeting was longer than usual, filled with good conversation, thoughtful sharing, and the joy of welcoming someone new.

What stood out to me is how all the topics—though seemingly unrelated—connected in the end. The story of Herod shows what happens when we give in to selfish desire and ignore virtue. But Leviticus reminds us that God offers renewal and freedom through His mercy.

As men and fathers, we are called not to follow the path of Herod, but the path of Joseph—one of quiet strength, sacrificial love, and unwavering trust in God.