Men's Rosary

We are to bring others to Christ and help others get to heaven.  This can be a tall order or daunting task.  But we must remember that God will always provide a way to do His will.  With this in mind we need to be mindful of how we take care of ourselves.  We would not go to a fitness trainer that is a hundred pounds overweight…would we?  We would not take financial advice from someone who is a complete financial failure…would we?  We need to be in shape ourselves and on strong footing in order to help others.  In an air emergency on a plane, if the oxygen masks are dropped in flight, we are instructed to secure the mask on ourselves before we try to help others.  The same holds true in our spiritual lives.  We need to take care of ourselves and be sure to be on solid ground so as to help others.

Four things come to mind in order to do this.  Prayer, reconciliation, retreat, and Eucharist. Prayer keeps us close to God and in tune with His will.  This is how we try to unify our will with His.  Prayer also helps us to recognize where we are called to help and who may need our prayer and aid.  More importantly, prayer helps us to recognize our failings and sinfulness so we can decide to change.

Once we have identified our failings and sin through prayer we can turn to God for forgiveness and absolution.  This is where a daily examination of conscious is valuable.  The very act of receiving the sacrament of Reconciliation makes us strong and better able to do God’s work and form missionary disciples.  It also takes away the weapons of the devil.  He uses our weaknesses to deceive us and mislead us.  God defeats the devil in Reconciliation by making us strong.  “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is found in weakness.”  (2 Corinthians 12:9)  In reconciliation we admit our weakness and lean into God’s strength.  We really do leave as a different person.  We should avail ourselves of this frequently, at least monthly.

Retreating and resting is vital.  This is possible in several ways.  Daily quiet prayer where we sit and rest in God’s presence and give Him the opportunity to speak to our hearts.  Days of recollection are great!   You can find guided days of recollection, or it can simply be a day you give to God through prayer, scripture, and contemplation.  There is also a spiritual retreat.  At least a weekend away from the distractions of life to simply spend time with God and listen to what he has to say to us.  “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)  I would recommend this at least annually.

And Eucharist, our food for the journey!  We come no closer to Christ or heaven, than at the Mass and receiving Eucharist.  Let it not just be a Sunday event.  Try to get to Mass during the week.  Life has many responsibilities, and it is hard, especially for those of us who are not retired.  However, if and when you have the chance, GO!   “Every Mass in which we participate fills us with countless graces.”  St. Alphonsus Ligouri

As men of faith let us be more purposeful in our actions and strive to always improve and become better and stronger in the eyes of God.  Life can get in the way if we let it.  There is nothing more important than our faith.  The little said truth is that if our faith is strong, our lives will be successful.  Success is not to be measured in the things of man, rather in the graces of God and the desire for Heaven.  May we be men who lead…men who lead others to Christ and to heaven. “Give something, however small, to the one in need.  For it is not small to the one who has nothing.  Neither is it small to God, if we have given what we could.” St. Gregory Nazianzen