To the Ends of the Earth: Legacy – Week 9, Day 1 – Deny Yourself, Take Up Your Cross, and Follow Christ
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“Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
Matthew 18:18–20
Some Christian denominations mock the Catholic Church as an institution, claiming it is acting on the authority of human beings alone rather than looking to Christ. They believe that mere mortals have perverted the cause of Christ with man-made rules rather than Spirit-led living. What so many forget is that Christ gave the keys of the kingdom to Peter and the Apostles, granting them and their successors the authority to carry out God’s will through the Church.
This cannot be said too many times: The Church is the Mystical Body of Christ, a living institution that grows and matures because God’s Spirit moves in her to will and to act. Christ himself has given her leaders the authority to govern. For two thousand years, she has continued to weather the storms of persecution, politics, corruption, and crisis because Jesus has promised to be with her until the end of the age (see Mt 28:20). As members of the Body of Christ, we contribute to the growth of the Church and the continuation of this great legacy, using our gifts for the greater good and the glory of God, while we await our final victory in Jesus.
Questions for reflection
How does knowing that the Church has the authority of Christ guide you in how you live your life?
Do you use your gifts in service to the Church and her mission? How can you devote more time and energy to fulfilling this duty?
What do we need to pray for as the Church moves forward in her mission to save the lost?
Praying with Scripture
“Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one; I died, and behold I am alive for evermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.” (Rv 1:17–18)
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.
