To the Ends of the Earth: Witness – Catholic Men's Devotionals, Week 4 – Out on the Highways

“‘Go therefore to the streets, and invite to the marriage feast as many as you find.’ And those servants went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.”

Matthew 22:9–10

There is something about a highway that conjures up images of unknown adventures, new beginnings, and life transformation. Throughout history, many men have answered the call of the road to seek new vistas and discover a higher calling. As Catholics, this higher calling draws us into relationships with those around us who are walking the road of life, searching for meaning as well.

These highways are full of people who are lost and wandering in darkness, looking for someone to lead them home. The Catholic Church has been on the grand adventure of evangelization ever since the beginning. The Great Commission (Mt 28:16–20) is our high calling to give glory to God by going out to the highways of life to seek the lost and invite them into the banquet hall. It is out on the highways of life that our salvation is worked out to the fullest. As we walk the journey of salvation, becoming the men we are called to be, we must answer the call to spread the Gospel with our words and actions. The lost cannot hear the Good News unless we seek them out.

This week, we will consider what it means to be a witness, as Saint Paul explains it in his letter to the Romans: “But how are men to call upon him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher? And how can men preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach good news!’” (Rom 10:14–15).

How can we as Catholic men answer this call to go out onto the highways? Here are some ideas:

1.         We must follow the call of the Master.

As servants, we may not understand why the Master has summoned us, but our calling is to be the voice and hands and feet of the Lord as we gather the lost into the kingdom.

2.         Only God can judge the hearts of people.

Only God, who knows our hearts, can see who has truly put on the garment of Christ (see Mt 22:11–12). It is not up to us to judge our brothers and sisters. Our only task is to seek the lost and lead them into the Church.

3.         Sharing the Gospel is a beautiful thing.

The highway may be long and hard, but for those who have made the commitment, it is a joyful journey. As we seek to bring the lost into God’s kingdom, we discover that it is a beautiful, transforming experience. As tireless couriers, we are called to carry the beautiful message of salvation to the ends of the earth.

4.         We are not just journeymen, but road construction workers.

Not only are we called to bring back the lost, we must also “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight” (Mk 1:3). As committed construction workers, we help to clear the road for the Lord to enter into the hearts of the lost.

5.         The highway leads ultimately to the house of the Lord.

As we seek the lost on the highways of life, our final goal is heaven. Like the pilgrims who made their way joyfully to Jerusalem (see Ps 122), the Church marches triumphantly toward the gates of the kingdom of heaven.

A Call to Action

It is a great gift to be called to go out into the highways to seek those who long for heaven. This call, however, is different for each of us. This week, seek to discover how God wants to use you to share the Gospel through your words and deeds. Whether it is in starting a Bible study, serving in a soup kitchen, sitting with another man in crisis, or writing encouraging words to a lonely soul, seek to know what important role God wants to give you in spreading the Good News to the world.

You can learn more about the To the Ends of the Earth Series HERE