To the Ends of the Earth: Character – Week 3, Day 2 - Discipline Means Understanding Our Limitations
To the Ends of the Earth: Action – Week 2, Day 4 – We Need to Be Men Who Act on the Word We Hear
Photo by Katt Yukawa on Unsplash
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
Philippians 2:12–16
God’s grace empowers us to act on his holy teachings according to his will. It is easy to claim to have faith; it is much harder to put that faith into practice. Yet a faith that does not act is not a living faith. Living faith opens us up to say yes to God’s call to salvation, a call we must answer with fear and trembling. Only with living, active faith can we surrender in trust to God’s guidance over our lives.
Jesus gives us the grace to say yes to his call and to turn our faith into actions that transform our world through sacrificial love. We are the eyes, ears, hands, and feet of Christ, carrying out his work through the Church in a broken world. Our salvation is both personal and communal, a past event and an ongoing journey to a final destination. As Catholic men, we wrap our heads around these truths by learning to love others as Jesus has loved us.
Questions for Reflection
Why is faith without living works of love nothing more than dead faith? Does your faith live through loving works? If not,how can you begin to change that?
Who helps you live a godly life as a Catholic man? Are there other men you seek out? If not, how can you change that?
What acts of love have you offered to those around you who are hurting and lost?
Praying with Scripture
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Eph 2:10)
You can learn more about the To the Ends of the Earth Series HERE
You can watch and listen to this devotion HERE
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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.
