To the Ends of the Earth: Character – Catholic Men’s Devotionals, Week 4 – The Fighter
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“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, nor about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O men of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek all these things; and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day’s own trouble be sufficient for the day.”
Matthew 6:25–34
So many of us have read this passage over and over, yet we may not realize just how radical it is. We live in a practical world. As men, we need to be concerned with paying the bills and planning for tomorrow. By extension we could add our pleasures and our portfolios, our status and our safety. But Jesus says those things are like a vapor compared to the blessings of the kingdom of God.
God, all-powerful and all-loving, wants to provide for his children. But he also wants us to look with new eyes at what is truly important. Jesus reminds us, “For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life?” (Mt 16:26). Our priorities are mixed up. We need to live our lives in a responsible manner, but we should not worry about how it will all turn out. Keeping our eyes fixed on the kingdom helps us put our priorities back in order.
Questions for Reflection
What practical things in your life cause you the most worry right now? Why?
How can you turn your worries over to God? Where is he inviting you to rethink your priorities?
What are two or three concrete actions you can take this week to focus more on the blessings of the kingdom?
Praying with Scripture
Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:6–7)
You can learn more about the To the Ends of the Earth Series HERE
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Mark C. McCann is an author and Ministry Consultant with more than 30 years of writing and ministry experience. He has published articles for a number of Catholic magazines and websites including St. Anthony Messenger, Emmanuel Magazine, Liguorian Magazine, Catholic Stand, the Connecticut Catholic Men's Conference, and Homiletic and Pastoral Review. He recently published the 4-volume Catholic men's devotional, To the Ends of the Earth, as well as the 2021 Advent Daybreaks devotional and 2022 Lenten Daybreaks devotional with Liguori Publishing. He has also released his End Times novel series, Jacob's Dream: The Vision and Jacob's Dream: The Final Battle. He was a radio host and producer for 8 years at a Connecticut Christian radio station and has worked as a Catholic religion teacher/campus minister and a parish youth minister. He has also served the Norwich, CT Diocese as a Youth Ministry Director and Family Life Director. He currently lives in Connecticut with his Proverbs 31 wife, where together they have brought up three incredible children. He strives each day to live out his call to be a man of words. You can learn more about Mark and his writing at www.wordsnvisions.com.
