Men's Rosary

Everyone is in a rush to get somewhere. Life is about arriving. From an early age we are prodded to think about and decide on what we are going to become. But I have come to learn that life is more about the journey and the person we become. This is irrespective of what we do, what our successes are and what others think of us.

Striving as we may, we will never arrive. We are always becoming. The question becomes, “who are we becoming.”   No matter how hard we try, we will fail. The good news: it is in failure that success is found. We must keep at it. “Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts.”  (Winston Churchill) There are books and videos ad nauseam about this in secular affairs. But what about matters of faith?

We were given the goal by Christ. “You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”  (Matthew 5:48)   We are imperfect and it is good that God knows this! It is not so much that we fail but that we strive to improve. No matter how good or bad our spiritual life is, we have room to improve, given the charge that Jesus gave us. How do we get our prayer life in order, improve our relationship with God, witness to others and live a life that imitates Christ? It is good to simply do a “reset.”  Regardless of our level of sanctity, we must decide to do better. This is an interior exercise. We need to take a good look at ourselves to see our sins and failings. We will need God’s help. “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!”  (Psalm 139:23)   Once we have done this, take it to the Sacrament of Reconciliation and ask for God’s mercy. With His grace we will be ready to move forward and grow.

As we live, we should consecrate everything to the Lord. Our work, recreation, everything. It is not what we do or what we accomplish; it is about who we become and for whom we are doing. “Whatever your task, work heartily, as serving the Lord and not men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you are serving the Lord Christ.”  (Colossians 3:23-24) Our actions speak loudly. Even though we do not see it, others are watching. Our behavior can bring others to Christ or keep them away. It is important to imitate Christ in how we live. “Show yourself in all respects a model of good deeds,” (Titus 2:7) Prayer and time spent with him is the only way to be successful to any degree. Daily, we can pause to ask ourselves how we behaved today; and seeing where we were weak or failed, strive to do better tomorrow, asking God to help. We must not rely on ourselves or anyone else. It is only God who can strengthen us to push through and carry our crosses. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”  (Proverbs 3:5-6)

On this journey of “becoming” it will often feel lonely. The world around us will be the opposite of what we are striving to become. It is easy to feel out-numbered and defeated. This is just part of uniting ourselves to the cross of Christ. This is doing our part in carrying our cross for his sake. This is the validation that we are imitating he who has called us to be perfect. The difference is that Christ carried the cross alone, but we are never abandoned because he helps us to carry ours. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; be not frightened, neither be dismayed; for the Lord, your God is with you wherever you go.”  (Joshua 1:9)

Living a life in Christ, swimming against the stream, will help us to become more perfect. Regardless of our strong devotion and faith, or lack thereof, it is always time to come to God for help in doing better…to become a better man. It is always a suitable time to resolve to be more Christ-like. All the world has to offer is disappointment. God offers peace and joy beyond compare. It is our choice of where we choose to live. I pray we choose wisely. “To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.”  (Romans 8:6) Spend time to evaluate your spiritual health and ask God from your heart for help to improve. He will not let you down.

Many cry to God, but not with the voice of the soul, but with the voice of the body; only the cry of the heart, of the soul, reaches God.”  (St. Augustine)