To the Ends of the Earth: Action – Week 1, Day 3 – The Eucharist is About Satisfaction
To the Ends of the Earth: Witness – Week 9, Day 2 – Real Brotherly Love Is Sacrificial
Photo by Adrian Dascal on Unsplash
Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
John 13:1
While we were yet helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Why, one will hardly die for a righteous man — though perhaps for a good man one will dare even to die. But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.
Romans 5:6–7
The depth of the love of Jesus is truly unfathomable. He linked true love to sacrifice — the action of laying down one’s life — and commanded his followers to do the same. Sacrificial love and humble service are inseparable from friendship with God. As we lay down our lives, we bear witness to our deep intimacy with Christ and one another. Such action is a powerful force for turning sinners into saints.
Laying down one’s life does not necessarily mean physical death. As we walk the road of salvation it means little “deaths” to self: offering our time, our energy, our service, or our provision to those in need, even and especially when it is inconvenient or difficult. Maybe it means walking with a brother or sister through a difficult period. It might involve stopping to listen to another’s sorrowful story. What gives us the power to live sacrificially for others is the sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross. His atoning death has restored our intimate relationship with the Father and empowered us to persevere on the journey of salvation as we walk alongside others who are traveling this same road as well.
Questions for reflection
How have you sacrificed for others in Jesus’ name? What was the result?
When is loving action most difficult for you? How do you overcome these difficulties to witness the love of Christ to others?
What are some specific ways you can help a brother or sister who needs to experience God’s love through your sacrifice today?
Praying with Scripture
And this commandment we have from him, that he who loves God should love his brother also. (1 Jn 4:21)
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.
