Men's Rosary

By nature, we do not like being told what to do.  It started as a child!  We like to do things our way and on our terms.  But sometimes this attitude or approach to life can be self-defeating.  We can miss the big picture and actually shun things that will make us grow.  We men tend to be independent to a fault, hence the joke about men never asking for directions!

I propose we think about living and doing with service and obedience interconnected.  We are called to use our gifts to serve, “As each has received a gift, employ it for one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace;”  (1 Peter 4:10-11)   We are called to keep the interests of others in our mind and let that guide our actions.  “Do nothing in selfish conceit, but in humility count others better than yourself.  Let each of you look not to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”  (Philippians 2:3-4)

 We are called to obey.  This not only applies to God but also to the Church and her pastors.  Our choice is to obey God and the Church; or the world.  The latter will lead to our demise.  “Do you not know that if you yield yourselves to any one as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness.”  (Romans 6:16)

The truth is to be found in the Scriptures and the teaching of the Church.  Let’s be students of Scripture and the Catechism.  Let these words sink in and help us take inventory of our actions and judge ourselves according to these truths.  Then we can be honest and see where we need God’s help to improve and do more.  Here we have obedience, being a key part of our actions and service. “But be doers of the word , and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.  For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man that observes his natural face in a mirror and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.  But he who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer that forgets but a doer that acts, he shall be blessed in his doing.” (James 1:22-25)

And let us be obedient to our priests.  This does not mean blind obedience.  If something does not seem right, talk to them.  However, by and large, they are doing their best to be obedient and serve.  This is especially true of our pastors.  While we may not like change, a certain way of doing things, etc., there is usually a good reason behind it.  We are called to serve in obedience to them.  “Obey your leaders and submit to them; for they are keeping watch over your souls, as men who will have to give account.  Let them do this joyfully, and not sadly, for that would be of no advantage to you.”  (Hebrews 13:17)

If we work in these parameters and keep our work in prayer, we will be successful.  We will be able to impact many and we will never know the true effect of our work because it will be “bigger” than us.  Put our minds and hearts behind our Faith and get our hands to work.  “But you, take courage!  Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.”  (2 Chronicles 15:7)

Saint Joseph, patron saint of obedience and workers….pray for us!

“Obedience is a consecration of the heart, chastity of the body, and poverty of all worldly goods to the love and service of God.  Blessed indeed are the obedient, for God will never permit them to go astray.”   St. Francis de Sales