To the Ends of the Earth: Character – Week 2, Day 5 - God's Word Lights Our Way
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“Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of wickedness,
to undo the thongs of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover him,
and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?
Then shall your light break forth like the dawn,
and your healing shall spring up speedily;
your righteousness shall go before you,
the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.”
Isaiah 58:6–8
Many men become so caught up in their sin because they believe that no one cares about them. They feel entitled to the pleasure their sin brings them, holding bitterness or anger in their hearts over how they have been treated in the past. It is no good to confront sin if we do not love the sinner. Jesus never excused sin when he saw it, but he loved those who were guilty of falling into sin and longed to draw them back home to himself.
When we share in the burdens our brothers are bearing, we bring strength into the situation. Sin often manifests itself because of pain, confusion, and bitterness. When we come alongside our brother and join him in bearing the suffering he is undergoing, we shine the light of Christ’s love on the path. This allows our brother to see how his walk of faith is connected to the overall good of the Church. When we seek to alleviate our brother’s burden and help him take his important place within the Church, he becomes much more likely to surrender his sin to God. As the members of the Body join together in suffering, we pave the way for righteousness and joy to be restored and we build up the Church and her mission to point the lost toward the ultimate goal of heaven.
Questions for reflection
Why do you think sharing in your brother’s suffering helps to turn him from his sin? Have you experienced this in your life?
Have you ever looked past a brother’s sin to see the pain behind it? What was the result?
What are some practical ways you can come alongside a brother who is trapped in sin and gently draw him back into his role within the Church?
Praying with Scripture
If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. (1 Cor 12:26)
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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.
