Pandemics and Eternal Perspective
Sponsored
Catholic365 is sponsored by
Road to Purity
“See, I have set before you this day life and good, death and evil. If you obey the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you this day, by loving the LORD your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his ordinances, then you shall live and multiply, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land which you are entering to take possession of it. But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, I declare to you this day, that you shall perish; you shall not live long in the land which you are going over the Jordan to enter and possess. I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live, loving the LORD your God, obeying his voice, and clinging to him; for that means life to you and length of days, that you may dwell in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”
Deuteronomy 30:15–20
The choice may appear to be complicated, but it is truly simple. We have before us life or death, heaven or hell, joy or misery, blessing or curse. Yes, following in the footsteps of Jesus will not always be easy or convenient. In this world, we will experience trouble, trials, and tribulation. But the promises and the commands of the Lord are clear: Choose life and find eternity and joy, or choose death and find everlasting torment and despair. There is no third choice.
As a Catholic man, living out your faith in Christ, you have seen how Jesus carries you through the tough times. You have witnessed how he overcomes fear with faith, grief with grace, and sorrow with salvation. You have seen the power that is yours when you surrender your life and accept the gifts he gives you. This is your inheritance, an inheritance you are called to proclaim to all the world by your words, your deeds, and your very life.
Questions for reflection
In your life, have you tried to follow a way other than the Way – Jesus himself? What was the result?
What blessings has God given you as you have committed to follow him?
How can you support a brother who may be tempted to turn from worship to doubt?
Praying with Scripture
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom 6:23)
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.
