To the Ends of the Earth: Legacy – Week 10, Day 3 – Jesus Approaches Us with Authority
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He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.
1 Peter 2:24–25
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
2 Corinthians 1:3–4
Our compassion to one another is an extension of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross — the same sacrifice we experience and in which we participate each time we attend Mass. We are living out the love that spilled out from the heart of the Son of God to all humanity. The power that saved the straying sheep of the flock of God continues to save through the Church. As we show compassion, kindness, and comfort to the family of faith, we continue the legacy of the cross and its power to save lost souls.
The One who bore our sins reveals himself to us through the word, the sacraments, and the members of the Body who carry the message of the cross into their everyday lives. Each day we live out the mission of Christ to bring the lost back into the fold of God by all we say and do. What a powerful privilege and sobering responsibility we have to carry on the love of Christ expressed so perfectly in his sacrificial death on the cross!
Questions for reflection
Have you experienced the joy of helping a brother to return to Church? Have you made such a journey yourself? Who accompanied you?
When you participate in the Mass, do you recognize that you are truly present at the foot of the cross? The next time you attend Mass, how can you reflect on this profound truth and pray for the grace to enter in deeply?
How can you extend the healing and saving power of the cross to your brothers?
Praying with Scripture
And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Eph 4:32)
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.
