The Incarnation and the Exultation: An Advent Devotional - The Third Sunday of Advent
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Though we speak thus, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things that belong to salvation. For God is not so unjust as to overlook your work and the love which you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do. And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness in realizing the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Hebrews 6:9–12
Paul could have claimed many reasons to give in to worry and fear. From the very start God told him that he would suffer much for the sake of the Gospel (cf. Acts 9:16). Yet Paul never allowed despair to overcome him. He kept his eyes focused on the cross of Christ and the mission God had given him to do. The early Christians suffered persecution for their faith, and they were tempted to surrender to worry. The same is true for us today. Yet God calls us to reject worry by keeping our eyes fixed on him as we finish the work he has given us to carry out in our lives.
God will empower and equip us for the role he has ordained we should do. We must remember that we are all members of the Body of Christ, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (cf. Eph 2:10). Jesus told his followers not to worry but to trust God and to seek the kingdom (cf. Mt 6:25–34). As Catholic men, we have a calling that can find its fulfillment only when we surrender in trust and remain faithful to the One who will see us through it all.
Questions for Reflection
What is something you worry about that you need to surrender to God’s loving care? Is there anything that holds you back from surrendering it?
What helps you to stand strong, to trust God, and to persevere in your calling?
What is an area of ministry you see God helping you to fulfill for his glory?
Praying with Scripture
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.” (Mt 6:33)
You can learn more about the To the Ends of the Earth Series HERE
You can watch and listen to this devotion HERE
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.
