Men's Rosary

Everything is great, until it gets hard. The norm seems to be to give up and move on when the going gets tough. It is no wonder why divorce rates are so high. The reality is, that we were never guaranteed an easy life. Everything comes at a cost, and we should be willing to pay our way. The problem arises that many times when things are hard, we turn to ourselves and isolate our needs and problems from the world around us and make decisions and act, or fail to make decisions and act, based on what we determine to be the best, based on our egocentric perspective. This is the first step on the path to failure, misery, discontent, and unhappiness. “Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgement. A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.” (Proverbs 18:1-2)

It is a matter of our commitment. Are we taking part or are we committed to things? This would apply to our work, family, friends, marriages, and Faith. If we are participating it is easy to leave something when things get hard. If we are committed, we will face the challenging times and push through. We must ask ourselves how committed we are to things. In our work, it is God’s gift that we should enjoy the fruits of our labors. “I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil – this is God’s gift to man.” (Ecclesiastes 3: 12-13) In our marriages, friendships, and our Faith we must persevere in the presence of hardship and disappointment if we are to be committed. Loyalty is required to stay committed and love is necessary to keep us to task and embrace the sacrifices we must make, as Christ embraced the cross. He was loyal to the Father, and the love for him and for us was enormous. Love and loyalty must be present to remain committed. “Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.” (Proverbs 3:3-4)

There is nothing in this world that is perfect. There will be challenges and disappointment as sure as the air that we breath. If we have love, we will see things through the lens of faith. All our relationships will be connected to God. We will see him in others, we will see service to him in our work, we will see praise and glory for him in a job well done and treating others well. We will be able to overcome any obstacle without loosing our peace and and decide and act according to God’s will. If we have love, we have God within us. “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends…” (1 Corinthians 13:7-8) If we are going to call ourselves Christian, Catholic, then maybe we should act like it. This is not a club; it is a way of life. A way of life that calls us to improve everyday. Each day we have the opportunity to grow in likeness of Christ and serve his Church. We were baptized priest, prophets, and kings; to offer sacrifices and prayer, witness to the truth, and serve others and lead them to Christ. It is time to live up to that call. Others are watching. If we run when things get hard, are not loyal to our spouses, family, friends, and the Church, what message are we sending? Are we committed? “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” (Hebrews 12:1-3) Let us persevere in our love and loyalty to love and serve God well through love and service of others. When things get tough, we should resist the urge to run and instead let our minds and hearts go to Calvary; look at Christ on the cross for love of us and loyalty to his father; and embrace our suffering and stay committed. If we are to truly love, we must be ready to truly suffer. “For love to be real, it must cost – it must hurt – it must empty us of self.” (St. Teresa of Calcutta)

This may seem a daunting task, and at times it is. We must keep in mind that it is a task we are not capable of on our own. Left to our own devices and isolation, we will surely fail. It is God who gives us the strength and ability to overcome and succeed. If we can be committed to our faith, to God, we will not fail. We may stumble, but each day is a new day and opportunity to grow. “The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way, though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.” (Psalm 37:23-24)

When we are committed to our faith, and live it, we will find the strength and courage to persevere, to pick up our cross and stay the course. We will be better husbands, fathers, friends, workers, lay ministers; and will more fully live our baptismal call of priest, prophet, and king.

“Though the path is plain and smooth for men of good will, he who walks it will not travel far, and will do so only with difficulty, if he does not have good feet: that is courage and a persevering spirit.” (St. John of the Cross)