To the Ends of the Earth: Witness – Week 2, Day 3 – Investing in Our Children Requires Ongoing Effort
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And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall hurt you.”
Luke 10:18-19
And you, who were dead in trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, having canceled the bond which stood against us with its legal demands; this he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the principalities and powers and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in him.
Colossians 2:13-15
It can be tempting to put Jesus and Satan on equal footing when it comes to the battle for the souls of men and women. The truth is, there is no comparison. Christ ranks far above every power, every kingdom, and every authority — period! His greatness, his perfection, and his love have destroyed the power of sin and opened up the gates of heaven for all who believe.
The Church that Jesus founded continually marches into battle against the forces of evil. She is the fullness of the One who fills all things. That authority and power that has been passed down since the time of the Apostles propels the Church forward against the gates of hell, breaking them down and freeing men and women from the grip of Satan’s lies. This is the legacy of the Church — that she will always survive, and we, her members, will one day experience the victory that is ours because of Christ. Our great calling is to carry on that legacy by our devotion to the Church that Jesus founded, and by our acts of love that build up the Body in his name.
Questions for reflection
Are you ever tempted to doubt the power of God that is present in the Church? How do you face those doubts?
In what ways do you see the Body of Christ breaking down the gates of hell?
How specifically can you join in the battle to win the hearts of those outside the Church?
Praying with Scripture
And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (Rv 20:10)
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.
