To the Ends of the Earth: Action – Catholic Men’s Devotionals, Week 4 – Then and Now
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Praise the LORD!
Blessed is the man who fears the LORD,
who greatly delights in his commandments!
His descendants will be mighty in the land;
the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Wealth and riches are in his house;
and his righteousness endures for ever.
Light rises in the darkness for the upright;
the LORD is gracious, merciful, and righteous.
It is well with the man who deals generously and lends,
who conducts his affairs with justice.
For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered for ever.
Psalms 112:1–6
It’s a sad reality that those who believe in Jesus will face hatred and persecution from the world. It may come from coworkers or family members or unbelievers who are hostile to what Jesus offers. Many will try to point out the flaws in our beliefs or our character, call us hypocrites, or challenge our morality, in order to justify their own twisted view of the world. How Catholic men respond to this provocation is critically important.
Men who are grounded in the Gospel, whose eyes are fixed on the Lord, and whose hearts delight in God’s law of love will not let our trust be shaken by the ridicule of the world. We will persevere in our faith, delighting in the law of love and conducting our affairs with justice and integrity. It is at times of oppression that our legacy is truly fashioned into something that will stand strong until the end. It is in the fires of persecution that our holy birthright becomes the most potent and powerful for changing lives and building up the Church.
Questions for reflection
What circumstances have helped to temper and refine the legacy you are leaving behind?
How do you answer those who try to tell you your faith is a vain hope?
How can you help a brother stand firm against the ridicule and rejection of the world?
Praying with Scripture
The righteous will never be removed,
but the wicked will not dwell in the land. (Prv 10:30)
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.
