To the Ends of the Earth: Action – Week 10, Day 5 – Real Strength and Real Manhood Come from Submitting to the Greater Good

By Mark C. McCann

01/23/2025 • View profile

To the Ends of the Earth: Action – Week 10, Day 5 – Real Strength and Real Manhood Come from Submitting to the Greater Good

For I through the law died to the law, that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:19–20

I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Romans 12:1

It is a theme you surely recognize now as we come to the close of this study: surrendering ourselves to God, giving up all that we are in order to allow God to transform our lives. The old law must give way to the power of the cross. Death must yield to resurrection. The old man must die so that the new man can shake off the past and live in service to Christ. As we let go of the attractions and distractions of this world and embrace the the grace that is ours in Christ, we become living sacrifices, poured out upon the altar of this world so that we can bring the power of the Gospel to all we meet.

The more we take hold of the promises and the purposes of God, the more the Church will conform to the image of Christ. It is our task to help prepare the Bride for the Bridegroom. As we live as Catholic men, working side by side with our brothers in the Faith and building the kingdom of God one faithful step at a time, we become real and authentic men of God. It is in humility and service to others in the name of Christ that the essence of true manhood can be found.

Questions for Reflection

Why is surrendering to God’s mercy and God’s plans so important to our lives as Catholic men?

In what areas of your life can you say that you have truly died to yourself and risen to Christ?

How does humility help us to carry the Gospel to a weary world?

Praying with Scripture

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that in due time he may exalt you. (1 Pt 5:6)

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

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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.