The Incarnation and the Exultation: An Advent Devotional - Thursday, First Week of Advent – Hoping in the Promises of God
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Then La’ban said to Jacob, “Because you are my kinsman, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what shall your wages be?” Now La’ban had two daughters; the name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah’s eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful and lovely. Jacob loved Rachel; and he said, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.” La’ban said, “It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to any other man; stay with me.” So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her.
Genesis 29:15–20
Catholic husbands are called to love our wives as Christ loves the Church (Eph 5:25). Christ gave everything for his Bride and is leading the Church toward perfection as the day approaches when he will come again in glory. The sacrificial nature of that love cannot be overstated. If we are to mirror that same love for our wives, we must be willing to put our wives before our own needs. This does not mean we never pursue our dreams or take time to enjoy our lives; but it does mean that we decide when and where to place those dreams on hold and put our own pleasures aside in ministering to the needs of our wives.
For all men, married or single, this kind of sacrificial love must encompass the whole of our relationships. Men are willing to protect women, but do we show them the affection, comfort, and respect they deserve? Being the head of a household does not exclude us from helping to care for our homes and our children. True sacrificial love manifests itself in the smallest concerns as well as the largest. When husbands give ourselves to our wives fully, our labors become light indeed because of the love we share. Like Jacob, we should see our labors as nothing compared with the joy we find in pleasing our spouses and walking alongside them on the journey of salvation. This kind of love is a powerful example that all men, single or married, can live out in the larger arena of the Church and the world.
Questions for reflection
Husbands, what is the most delightful thing about being married to your wife? In what areas of your marriage can you adopt a more sacrificial attitude? Can you share this with her?
Single men, how does the powerful witness of a godly marriage mirror the way you should love the world?
How can you help other men to live out a greater witness of a godly and sacrificial marriage?
Praying with Scripture
He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the LORD. (Prv 18:22)
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.
