To the Ends of the Earth: Witness – Week 6, Day 1 – The World Sees Only the Temporary; We Bear Witness to What is Eternal
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The LORD kills and brings to life;
he brings down to Sheol and raises up.
The LORD makes poor and makes rich;
he brings low, he also exalts.
He raises up the poor from the dust;
he lifts the needy from the dung heap,
to make them sit with princes
and inherit a seat of honor.
For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’s,
and on them he has set the world.
1 Samuel 2:6–8
The great paradox of the Christian life is that we achieve greatness in lowliness. To the worldly man, this is an insane contradiction. After all, why would anyone want to be lowly? But to Catholic men, this should be sensible and sound, because in Christ we are able to see with heaven’s eyes. We understand that compared with God, all our efforts and our worth are filthy rags (cf. Is 64:6). The Good News, however, is that God takes our lowliness and raises it up. By his grace we are strengthened to live according to a higher calling. Our trials and our stumbling along the road of life allow God to refashion us in humility so we understand our true place in the universe. Though we are worth nothing, powerless and prideful, God lifts us from the dirt of this world and sets us up as princes among men.
We have become a new creation in Christ, and this shows us our purpose and our worth in God’s eyes. He sees us through the saving work of Jesus on the cross. We become beautiful, worthy sons, who are called to rule our worlds with the same perfect love he has revealed to us. We recognize that every moment we experience — even our lowest — has a divine purpose in testing and shaping our souls. When we accept our trials and our lowliness, we become servants with hearts totally dedicated to the cause of Christ.
Questions for Reflection
Is it difficult for you to accept that only in lowliness can you become exalted? If so, why?
Where have you been striving to achieve greatness on your own merits?
How has God lifted you up in your lowliness? How has his saving work in your life given you a greater sense of your calling as a Catholic man?
Praying with Scripture
He sets on high those who are lowly, and those who mourn are lifted to safety. (Jb 5:11).
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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.
