To the Ends of the Earth: Character – Week 3, Day 5 - Discipline Makes Us Ready to Begin Again Every Time We Fall
To the Ends of the Earth: Character – Week 4, Day 3 - We Join with the Body of Christ and Build One Another Up
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And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Hebrews 10:24–25
Our Catholic Faith is like a workout routine. If we don’t commit to it, we won’t see results. Here is a tough truth: Too many Catholic men are missing Mass. Too many believe that living “a good life” is enough. Too many think they can somehow tough out the spiritual journey on their own. The results are tragic. Without the Eucharist, Catholic men will become isolated from their brothers, struggle in their relationships with their families and in their work, and experience a sense of meaninglessness in their lives, an emptiness that only Christ can fill.
We need one another to carry out our journey to heaven. Catholic men need their brothers to lift them up in prayer, to support them when they are weak, and to challenge them when they fall short. And as Catholics, we strengthen our bond with the Mystical Body of Christ when we participate in the sacraments and join our brothers and sisters in prayer.
The sacraments are not just required rituals for membership in a special club. They are truly our sustenance — our food and drink — as we walk the road toward perfection. We are part of the Mystical Body of Christ. We are members of the Church, acting on Christ’s behalf. We are his eyes and ears, hands and feet. We come together to encourage and embolden one another to bring our faith to the world. This is an awesome privilege — and a great responsibility. Each of us is called to join with our fellow believers to build up and strengthen the Church, and to invite others into this family of faith as well.
Questions for Reflection
How has your attendance at Mass and the sacraments been this past year? Where could you improve?
What can you do to participate more actively at Mass?
What are some concrete things you can do before this week ends to build up one of your brothers in Christ?
In what specific ways can you reach out to your Catholic brothers?
Praying with Scripture
Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. (1 Thess 5:11)
You can learn more about the To the Ends of the Earth Series HERE
You can watch and listen to this devotion HERE
r and build one another up, just as you are doing. (1 Thess 5:11)
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About the Author
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.
