Men's Rosary

Take a good look at a crucifix and spend time contemplating the love that it shows and the ultimate sacrifice made for each one of us individually.  Christ did that for you!  Then ask yourself, knowing what Jesus did for you, how could you ever deny him?

We, of course, would answer that we never would.  And so did Peter.  But then he did that very thing (Luke 2254-62).  We look at Peter and wonder how he could ever do such a thing.  Quite honesty, the reason was that he is human and weak, just as we are.  I was praying before a crucifix the other day and asked myself this question.  And sadly, I could see where I have denied Christ, and I prayed for his forgiveness.  I have not denied him as Peter did by saying I “do not know him” but I have in another way.  I have failed to heed his call and act in many circumstances.  I would guess we all have.  The healthy thing to do for our spirituality is to recognize this and cease to behave in that manner.

God calls on us to do his work, to serve him and others.  This may not be the thunderous voice you hear in the biblical movies.  Most of the time it will be the silent nudges.  The feelings of I should help out with this, that or the other.  Perhaps it is the feeling that we should visit someone.  It can even be the feeling of needing to get away from the everyday grind and spend quality time with God.  How many times do we get these and simply brush them off and go about our life?  I fear it happens all too often, at least for me it does.

To follow Christ is to listen for his call and follow him.  And we should not let fear stand in our way.  Sometimes it may be fear of what others may think, fear of failure, fear of unworthiness, fear of the unknown and even fear of how it may change our life.  All these fears may be legitimate.  They are simply the crosses we face.  Christ told us we would face them, and we were to deny ourselves and bear them.  “Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.””  (Matthew 16:24) 

When God is speaking in our lives, we need to listen to him and forget about what we think.  It is a leap of faith.  We do this all the time in our lives in other things.  But the things of this world are never dependable!  Only God is totally dependable.  So why are we slow to put our faith in him who is perfect and loves us like no other has the capacity to?  We should really be saying “no” to the world and a resounding “yes” to God without delay.  “And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”  (Isaiah 6:8)

We are called to serve.  By baptism we are incorporated in the Christs priesthood.  When Christ calls on us to serve, we should accept and respond.  Put aside all fears, trust in God and go forward boldly and acknowledge him among men.  To ignore his call is in essence denial of him.  The reward for answering his call is tremendous!  “And I tell you,  everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God.”  (Luke 12:8)  So spend some time in payer, before a crucifix, thank Christ for all he has done, ask for forgiveness for the times you have failed to serve him, and ask for strength to heed his call for service and acknowledge him before others.

“Act and God will act; work and He will work.”  (St. Joan of Arc)