To the Ends of the Earth: Action – Catholic Men's Devotionals, Week 8 – Sins of the Fathers and Loving Legacies
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Make haste to answer me, O LORD!
My spirit fails!
Hide not your face from me,
lest I be like those who go down to the Pit.
Let me hear in the morning of your merciful love, for in you I put my trust.
Teach me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.
Deliver me, O LORD, from my enemies!
I have fled to you for refuge!
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God!
Let your good spirit lead me on a level path!
For your name’s sake, O LORD, preserve my life! In your righteousness bring me out of trouble!
And in your steadfast love cut off my enemies, and destroy all my adversaries,
for I am your servant.
Psalm 143:7–12
Men often see their need for God as a sign of weakness. But a Catholic man who is a true warrior poet recognizes that he is but dust and ashes. We cherish this revelation because it is only in God that we find the deep satisfaction and perfect clarity of mind and heart that is ours in Christ. We see the ways in which God wants to lead us. We no longer fear our enemies because we have a mighty God who will drive them all away. He makes the rough ways of our journey smooth and guides us from the darkness of sin into the light of his kingdom.
In surrendering to God, we experience his great love, his power, and his presence. We become open to his will, and his Spirit flows out from us in our words and actions. He satisfies our deepest hungers and puts a song in our soul, a song of love that we can express to the world. As we experience this great spiritual filling, we are transformed daily into the men we have been called to be. His great love, mercy, and grace spill out of our lives into the lives of those around us and bring healing to the hurting and hope to the lost.
Questions for Reflection
What do you hunger for right now? Do you believe that God wants to satisfy your hunger? If not, what stands in your way?
Where do you see God shaping your soul to allow you to speak words of blessing to others?
What are two or three ways you can speak God’s language of love to others before this week ends?
Praying with Scripture
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” (Mt 5:6)
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.
