So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come. And all this is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and given us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting their trespasses against them and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. So we are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. (2 Corinthians 5:17-20)

I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me. (John 17:20-24)

For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:13).

Again, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:19-20)

I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)

As we come to the end of the end of the Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity, it is easy to get discouraged about the divisions among Christians, since we have covered this ground so many times. It has been over 47 years since the Second Vatican Council produced the seminal document, “The Decree on Ecumenism.” However, much progress has been made in building bridges to other Christian denominations.  After all, it was not too long ago when Protestants thought Catholics were going to Hell, and Catholics thought Protestants were going to Hell–a time when many Protestants didn’t think Catholics were even Christians.

Fortunately, times have changed and relations between Catholics and Protestants have greatly improved, especially since Vatican II, when the fathers of the Church made a real effort to reach out to our “separated brethren” in a spirit of humility and reconciliation. Now there is a fairly broad recognition among Christian denominations that we are all brothers and sisters in Christ.

In spite of the progress made, since Vatican II, the divi­sions among Christian denominations can still seem entrenched and formida­ble. Misunderstandings still abound as to what non-Catholics think Catholics believe. I have personally met non-Catholic Christians who believed Catholics worshipped Mary. I have also spoken with Protestants who believe Catholics think they are saved by works, that they worship statues, and that purgatory is a place where unsaved Catholics go to get saved. Many non-Catholics still don’t understand the Mass, the Eucharist and other Sacraments, communion of saints, and many other Catholic teachings.

As Catholic men, we may feel powerless against them, especially as it often seems that some of our divi­sions are becoming only deeper. But don’t forget: This battle is the Lord’s, not ours, to win (2 Chronicle 20:15). It is the power of the Holy Spirit, not our power that will make all Christians truly one in Christ and bring about a unified Church. We, as Catholic men, need to cast ourselves on the Lord’s mercy and allow him to use us as his ambassadors of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:17-20).

But first, let’s be clear about the enemy we face. That enemy is not other denominations but the way we have all turned from Jesus’ prayer that his church be one (John 17:20-21). Our objec­tive in ecumenism is not to demol­ish others’ positions and arguments but to bridge the gap of hostility and misunderstanding between us.

Perhaps, the time has come for a new type of apologetics – one that unites and not divides. Great progress will be made when Christians from different tradi­tions, including theologians, stop attacking each other and try to understand what each other believes and why. Great things will happen when this occurs. For example, Lutherans and Catholics have come to substantial agreement on the very issues that were so hotly contested during the Reformation, including the doctrine on “justification by faith”.

So how should we, as Catholic men, “do” ecumenism? If a non-Catholic Christian family invited us for dinner, we wouldn’t start our conversation by bringing up all our differences with the host. If we don’t know where someone is in his walk with the Lord, it’s probably a good idea to stay away initially from sensitive topics. Instead, we can focus on what we do have in common: As baptized Christians, we are already united in our faith in Christ, “given to drink of one Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:13). The person we are talking to is a brother in Christ, our “blood” relative, and that’s something we can both rejoice in!

Once we’ve gotten to know them better, we will naturally want to share something about our faith with our brothers (and sisters)—and what could be more natural than prayer? No matter what our denomination, we know that when two or more are praying in his name, Jesus is with us (Matthew 18:20). Praying alongside those of other traditions will open our hearts to be more loving toward them. It will help us to repent of any judgmental attitudes we may have picked up about them. And it will show us how much they have to offer—for if we really are one body, then we need each other.

A wise pastor once said regarding ecumenism, “None of us has it all together, but together we have it all.” Just as our “separated brethren” can learn from us, so we can learn from them. Let’s face it, none of us has all the answers. Because the unified church Jesus longs for has yet to come about, each denomination, each individual, may grasp an aspect of the truth that may have eluded others and can enrich us all.

When Jesus prayed that we become one, so that “the world may believe that you sent me” (John 17:21), he was asking for a kind of unity among Christians that is unfamiliar in the society we live in. He wanted the people to be able to look at us and say, “This unity is different than the world’s unity! They have something I’ve never seen before, but I want it.”

Jesus knew that others would be convinced not by what Christians look like, or even just the words we use, but by the love and compassion we are able to show to one another – the love that he has already shown to us (John 13:34-35). This love comes from Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for us, and it gives the power to all Christians in the Body of Christ to become living examples of unity and brotherhood.

“Lord Jesus, send out your Spirit, and give all Christians the strength and wisdom to reach out to one another. Heal the wounds and every division in your body, and make it whole! Father, make us one. Help us to repent of our own sins against unity.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion by Catholic Men

1. Take some time to meditate and reflect on the Scriptures at the beginning of the article. In light of the title of this article, what do you think God is trying to reveal to you through them?
2. The article lists several areas of Catholic doctrine that are often misunderstood my non- Catholics. As a Catholic man, what is your experience in discussing doctrinal differences with Christians of other denominations? Were these discussions fruitful? Why or why not?
3. In the article, we hear these words: “Perhaps, the time has come for a new type of apologetics – one that unites and not divides. Great progress will be made when Christians from different tradi­tions, including theologians, stop attacking each other and try to understand what each other believes and why.” What is your reaction to these words? Do you agree or disagree? Why?
4. How would you answer this question posed in the article? “So how should we, as Catholic men, “do” ecumenism?”
5. The article contends that “None of us has it all together, but together we have it all” and “Just as our ‘separated brethren’ can learn from us, so we can learn from them”? What have you learned from Christians from other denominations as you prayed with them and shared your faith with them?
6. Take some time now to pray for the grace, strength and wisdom to reach out to our “separated brethren” and be “ambassadors of reconciliation and unity,” Use the prayer at the end of the article as the starting point.

Maurice Blumberg is the Director of Partner Relations for The Word Among Us Partners, a ministry of The Word Among Us to the military, prisoners, and women with crisis pregnancies or who have had abortions. Maurice was also the founding Executive Director of the National Fellowship of Catholic Men, for which he is currently a Trustee. He can be contacted at mblumberg@wau.org or mblumberg@aol.com.

For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope. When you call me, and come and pray to me, I will listen to you. When you look for me, you will find me. Yes, when you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me. (Jeremiah 29:11-14)

I delight to do your will, my God; your law is in my inner being!” (Psalm 40:9)

The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; He has sent me to bring good news to the afflicted, to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, release to the prisoners, To announce a year of favor from the LORD. (Isaiah 61:1-2)

The LORD is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack. In green pastures he makes me lie down; to still waters he leads me; he restores my soul. He guides me along right paths for the sake of his name. (Psalm 23:1-3)

Sing a new song to the LORD, for he has done marvelous deeds. His right hand and holy arm have won the victory. (Psalm 98:1)

As we look at the past year, even if it may have included sickness, suffering or the loss of a loved one, we can still “sing joyfully to the Lord” (Psalm 33:1), because we know God is all-good, all-wise, and all-loving. Even though we don’t always see or understand what he is doing, we know it is good and loving and wise. We also know that one day we will understand completely, when we are with him in heaven.

Now is the time to also sing joyfully about what you hope and expect him to do in this new year. God has plans for your life. His plans for you are “for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).  So tell the Lord that above everything else, you want to do his will (Psalm 40:9), and tell him that you say yes to his plan for your life, whatever it may be. No matter what age you are, it’s never too late to say yes to all that he has in store for you.

Ask the Lord to give you a word, or phrase, or Scripture passage, or even a song to give you direction for the year. Perhaps he wants to tell you that 2012 will be a year when he anoints you to “bring good news to the afflicted, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, release to the prisoners” (Psalm 61:1). Perhaps, he wants to “announce” to you that 2012 will be “a year of favor from the LORD” for you and your family. Whatever his will and plan is for you, tell him that you are willing to do it.

Take some time now to write down what you want to thank the Lord for. Also, jot down your hopes, dreams, desires for this year. What do you love to do? Do it intentionally every day, using the talents God has given you.  Tell the Lord, “This is for you, O God!”

The Lord is the Good Shepherd, who loves you and leads you (Psalm 23:1-2). He will guide you “along right paths” (23:2). They are the paths he has planned for you. And, perhaps, he will give you a new song to sing along the way (Psalm 98:1).

“Father, I put my trust in you and your great love for me. I want to say yes to your plan for my life in 2012. I want to be more attentive to you and other people, so that I may know your will and show your compassion and mercy to others!”

Many thanks to The Word Among Us for allowing me to adapt meditations in their monthly devotional magazine. Used with permission.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion by Catholic Men

1. Take some time to meditate and reflect on the Scriptures at the beginning of the article. What do you think God is trying to reveal to you through them?
2. The article begins with these words: “As we look at the past year, even if it may have included sickness, suffering or the loss of a loved one, we can still ‘sing joyfully to the Lord’ (Psalm 33:1), because we know God is all-good, all-wise, and all-loving. Even though we don’t always see or understand what he is doing, we know it is good and loving and wise.” What about you, are you able to sing joyfully to the Lord for 2011? Why or why not?
3. The article quotes Jeremiah 29:11, which says that God’s plans for you are “for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope.” In what ways has this been true for you?
4. The article goes on to encourage you to “Ask the Lord to give you a word, or phrase, or Scripture passage, or even a song—to give you direction for the year.” What is your sense, in general or specific terms, of what God’s plan’s are for you for 2012? Have you received any Scriptures to confirm this?
5. Are there any obstacles or fears in your life that you need to overcome before you can wholeheartedly say yes to God’s plan for your life? What steps can you take to overcome them?
6. Take some time now to pray for the grace to say yes to God’s plan for your life and to trust in his great love for you and all your loved ones. Use the prayer at the end of the article as the starting point.

Maurice Blumberg is the Director of Partner Relations for The Word Among Us Partners, a ministry of The Word Among Us to the military, prisoners, and women with crisis pregnancies or who have had abortions. Maurice was also the founding Executive Director of the National Fellowship of Catholic Men, for which he is currently a Trustee. He can be contacted at mblumberg@wau.org or mblumberg@aol.com.

Jesus  said to them, “Come, and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus. (John 1:39-40)

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20)

God the Father wants us to know that today, and every day, Jesus is offering us an invitation. He is inviting us to come into his presence and hear him speak to us just as he spoke to Samuel, even when he was just a young boy (1 Samuel 3:10).

When Jesus offered the invi­tation to Andrew and his friend to “Come, and you will see” (John 1:39), the two quickly stopped what they were doing and followed him (1:40). They must have felt honored that Jesus wanted to spend time with them— time away from the crowds, time just with them. At that moment, the only thing that mattered was that they had the privilege of being with the One whom John the Baptist had just identified as the Lamb of God. And their lives were completely changed.

Every day, Jesus is knocking on the door of your heart (Revelation 3:20). He is asking you to open the door, so that you can enter into his presence. He is inviting you to come and see the love and wisdom he has for you. It’s amazing, but it’s true: Jesus really enjoys spending one-on-one time with you, just as he does with each and every one of us. Jesus has so many things he wants to show you. He has so many ways he wants to reveal himself to you. Imagine yourself as a child, stand­ing in wide-eyed wonder at the sight of something new and mar­velous. That’s how Jesus wants us to approach our prayer time. What will I see today? What will the Lord say to me? How will he change my heart?

What a privilege it is to know that Jesus Christ, the Lord of all creation, wants to come to you every day and speak to you. He is just waiting for you to set aside time each day to come into his presence in prayer. He wants to fill you with grace and strength. He wants the words “Come, and you will see” (John 1:39) to be your refrain today and every day. Even if you already have a daily prayer time, let 2012 be the year that you set aside even more time each day to be with Jesus in prayer.

“Jesus, thank you so much for your invitation to come into your presence in prayer! Yes, I want to come and see all that you have for me each day. Open my eyes to the wonder of your love so that I can know you more.”

Many thanks to The Word Among Us for allowing me to adapt meditations in their monthly devotional magazine. Used with permission.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion by Catholic Men

1. Take some time to meditate and reflect on the Scriptures at the beginning of the article. What do you think God is trying to reveal to you through them?
2. Do you believe, as the article states, that every day Jesus is “inviting us to come into his presence and hear him speak to us just as he spoke to Samuel, even when he was just a young boy (1 Samuel 3:10)? How important is this to you?
3. The article goes on to say that “Every day, Jesus is knocking on the door of your heart (Revelation 3:20). He is asking you to open the door, so that you can enter into his presence.” What are the obstacles in your life that keep you from hearing this knock and opening the door? What steps can you take to overcome these obstacles?
4. The Article ends with these challenging words: “let 2012 be the year that you set aside even more time each day to be with Jesus in prayer.” Are you willing to take up this challenge? If not, what is keeping you to do that?
5. Take some time now to pray for the grace to give your life completely to Christ in 2012, so that you will be able to deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow him. Use the prayer at the end of the article as the starting point.

Maurice Blumberg is the Director of Partner Relations for The Word Among Us Partners, a ministry of The Word Among Us to the military, prisoners, and women with crisis pregnancies or who have had abortions. Maurice was also the founding Executive Director of the National Fellowship of Catholic Men, for which he is currently a Trustee. He can be contacted at mblumberg@wau.org or mblumberg@aol.com.

I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship. Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect. (Romans 12:1-2)

All of us, gazing with unveiled face on the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, as from the Lord who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)

For the love of Christ impels us, once we have come to the conviction that one died for all; therefore, all have died. (2 Corinthians 5:14)

Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. (Matthew 16:24)

Christmas has ended – a grace-filled time when we cel­ebrated the birth of Jesus Christ, God-made-man. How grateful we are that God our Father would send his only Son to earth to be­come one of us. Why would God do such a thing? We could of course give many theological reasons including sin, the cross, redemption, etc. But perhaps the simplest explanation comes from looking at it through the lens of love. Only love would do such a thing (John 3:16).

As we begin a new year, how can we respond to such love? What will we say to our Fa­ther when we receive Jesus in the Eucharist? A simple “thank you” seems inadequate. One way is to make 2012 a year when we give our lives more fully to our Lord Jesus Christ. It’s not easy to give our lives to the Lord. We may wonder: What will God ask me to do? Will I have to part with something I treasure? Just what will God do with this gift of self that I am offering to him (Romans 12:1)?

Here is the best part of the Chris­tian life: When you give your life to the Lord, he takes it, fills it with his grace, and gives it back to you transformed (2 Corinthians 3:18). He makes your life overflow with the fruits of his Spirit including his love, joy, and peace (Galatians 5:22). And as a result, you end up happier and more ful­filled than you ever were – even if you are called into a new and de­manding area of service to your family or to others. You may be called to take up the challenge to love your enemies and pray for those who per­secute you. Maybe you know someone with a serious illness who needs prayers for healing. Maybe you need to pray that a family member or relative would give his or her life to the Lord. Or maybe you are hoping for victory over a sinful area that keeps tripping you up. Don’t box God in. Instead, expect the un­expected—as you give your life more fully to Christ and make him truly your Lord and Savior. That’s what the love of God will do!

So don’t hold back. Even if you’ve done it many times before, let 2012 be a year when the love of God impels you (2 Corinthians 5:14) to give your life more fully to Jesus. And watch to see how he gives it back to you.

“Lord Jesus, take my life. I give it to you. Let it be yours completely. I give you my whole heart, and I believe that you can move any mountains in my life! Fill me afresh with your Holy Spirit so that in 2012, I will deny myself, take up my cross, and follow you.”

Many thanks to The Word Among Us for allowing me to adapt meditations in their monthly devotional magazine. Used with permission.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion by Catholic Men

1. Take some time to meditate and reflect on the Scriptures at the beginning of the article. What do you think God is trying to reveal to you through them?
2. John 3:16 is a much quoted Scripture. How would you relate the message of this Scripture with the meaning of Christmas?
3. In the article, we hear these words: “When you give your life to the Lord, he takes it, fills it with his grace, and gives it back to you transformed (2 Corinthians 3:18). He makes your life overflow with the fruits of his Spirit including his love, joy, and peace (Galatians 5:22).” In what ways has this been true in your life? Be specific.
4. Regarding God’s great love for us, the article poses this question: “As we begin a new year, how can we respond to such love?” How would you answer this question?
5. The article mentions several examples of how we can put into practice our response to God’s love. Which ones resonate with you? What other ways may God be calling you to put into practice your willingness to give your life more fully to him?
6. Take some time now to pray for the grace to give your life completely to Christ in 2012, so that you will be able to deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow him. Use the prayer at the end of the article as the starting point.

Maurice Blumberg is the Director of Partner Relations for The Word Among Us Partners, a ministry of The Word Among Us to the military, prisoners, and women with crisis pregnancies or who have had abortions. Maurice was also the founding Executive Director of the National Fellowship of Catholic Men, for which he is currently a Trustee. He can be contacted at mblumberg@wau.org or mblumberg@aol.com.

And when this which is corruptible clothes itself with incorruptibility and this which is mortal clothes itself with immortality, then the word that is written shall come about: “Death is swallowed up in victory. Where, O death is your victory? Where, O death is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:54-57)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you who by the power of God are safeguarded through faith, to a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the final time. (1 Peter 1:3-5).

And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age. (Matthew 28:20)

I have loved you with an everlasting love. (Jeremiah 31:3)

For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. (Romans 10:13)

For the love of Christ impels us, once we have come to the conviction that one died for all; therefore, all have died. He indeed died for all, so that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. (2 Corinthians 5:14-15)

During this grace-filled season of Advent, Jesus invites us as Catholic men to fix our eyes on him (Hebrews 12:2). It is so easy — in the midst of the busyness, commercialism, and many distractions leading up to Christmas — to lose sight of the many graces God wants to pour out this Advent and Christmas season if our eyes are upon him. After all, his eyes are always fixed on us, watching over every step we take, protecting and guiding us.

Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection cleared the way and paved a path for us that is filled with his peace, comfort, and joy. He has removed every obstacle that could hinder us from knowing and experiencing God’s great love for us. Not only did Jesus destroy the sting of death, he removed the chains of sin that hold us back (1 Corinthians 15:54-57). And not only did Jesus make a way for us, he made the destination so much clearer. He showed us heaven as our true in­heritance (1 Peter 1:4). He showed us, too, that we don’t have to wait until we die to experience heaven. Every step along the way to heaven can become a taste of heaven as well!

The road may feel too hard or too long at times. We may feel unworthy of God’s love or protection. Or the memory of past hurts or disappoint­ments may lead us to doubt God’s presence in our lives. But we should never let these thoughts divert our gaze from the Lord. Acts of faith— even stubborn faith that seems to defy logic—can help keep us mov­ing forward on the road as we “persevere in running the race that lies before us” (Hebrews 12:1).

What should we place our faith in? First and foremost, that Jesus is always with us (Matthew 28:20) and that he al­ways loves us (Jeremiah 31:3). And after that, we can place our faith in his promise to re­deem everyone who calls on him (Romans 10:13). Just one step forward in faith will lead to another. And then another. And then another. And with each step, we will feel more and more of his deep love in our hearts!

St. Paul said that it was Christ’s love that impelled him do what he did and suffer for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). It is this love that will “impel” you and me to persevere in faith, always keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus and our heavenly inheritance. Then we will joyfully celebrate the coming of Christ this Christmas.

“Lord, help me to keep my eyes fixed on you this Advent and Christmas season. I want to persevere on the path—the holy way—that you have set before me.”

Many thanks to The Word Among Us for allowing me to adapt meditations in their monthly devotional magazine. Used with permission.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion by Catholic Men

1. Take some time to meditate and reflect on the Scriptures at the beginning of the article. What do you think God is trying to reveal to you through them?
2. The article mentions how easy it is to let the “busyness, commercialism, and many distractions leading up to Christmas” to keep us from keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus during this Advent season. What steps can you take to minimize these distractions and maximize the opportunities to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus?
3. The article also speaks of Jesus removing “every obstacle that could hinder us from knowing and experiencing God’s great love for us.” What are obstacles in your life that get in the way of your knowing and experiencing more deeply God’s great love for you? What can you do to help overcome them?
4. The article ends with these words: “St. Paul said that it was Christ’s love that impelled him do what he did and suffer for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). It is this love that will ‘impel’ you and me to persevere in faith, always keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus and our heavenly inheritance. Then we will joyfully celebrate the coming of Christ this Christmas.” In what ways does Christ’s love impel you to live for him no matter what you are facing in your life? How can you make Christ’s love the center of your Christmas celebration for you and your family?
5. Take some time now to pray for the grace to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus as you and your family prepare to celebrate the coming of Jesus at Christmas. Use the prayer at the end of the article as the starting point.

Maurice Blumberg is the Director of Partner Relations for The Word Among Us Partners, a ministry of The Word Among Us to the military, prisoners, and women with crisis pregnancies or who have had abortions. Maurice was also the founding Executive Director of the National Fellowship of Catholic Men, for which he is currently a Trustee. He can be contacted at mblumberg@wau.org or mblumberg@aol.com.

Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give. (Matthew 10:8)

I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. (John 13:34-35)

This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. (John 15:12-15)

Advent is something of a con­tradiction in terms. It is a time of receiving and welcoming the Lord into our hearts in a deeper way, but it is also a time to give away what we have freely re­ceived from the Lord (Matthew 10:8).

It is this pattern of divine ex­change that we find in the two groups of people Jesus addressed in Matthew 9:35-38. The first group re­ceived the gifts of his teaching and miracles. Jesus saw their neediness and had compassion on them. He couldn’t stay away from them but spent all his time ministering to their needs (Matthew 9:35-36).

But there was a second group— the people who knew him best and who had already received his gos­pel. To these, his closest friends, he sent as “laborers for his harvest” (Matthew 9:38) — to proclaim the good news and do the work of the kingdom of heaven themselves.

Instead of trying to figure out which of these two groups we be­long to as Catholic men, let’s accept that we really belong to both. On the one hand, we all need deeper healing. We all need to learn the gospel message more clearly. We all have areas of sin that need to be addressed and forgiven. So we all need to spend time with Jesus in prayer and at Mass, letting him minister to our wounds and fill us with his grace.

But on the other hand, as “friends” (John 15:15) and “disciples” (John 13:35) of Jesus, we too have much that we can offer to other peo­ple. How often during this Advent and Christmas season do you hear people talking about how lonely they are because they have lost a loved one or are estranged from a family member? How often do you hear people tell you how guilty they feel about some poor decisions they made? It is to these that we can offer the love and compassion we have already re­ceived from the Lord (John 13:34). Maybe they need nothing more than a friendly word of encouragement. But maybe they need to hear about how much the Lord loves them and wants to work in their lives. None of us is too “weak” in the faith to begin giving away what we have.

Brothers, we serve a generous God. So let’s be just as gen­erous, freely giving what we have freely received – his love, mercy, and forgiveness!

“Lord, touch everyone searching for you during this grace-filled season. Deepen my experience of your great love and mercy. Use me to show others your abundant love and mercy, and to help lead them to the grace of a new life in you.”

Many thanks to The Word Among Us for allowing me to adapt meditations in their monthly devotional magazine. Used with permission.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion by Catholic Men

1. Take some time to meditate and reflect on the Scriptures at the beginning of the article. What do you think God is trying to reveal to you through them?
2. As a Catholic man, in what way do you believe you have been called to be “laborers for his harvest” (Matthew 9:38)?
3. The article states that we all need to “learn the gospel message more clearly,” we all “have areas of sin that need to be addressed and forgiven,” and we all need to “spend time with Jesus in prayer and at Mass, letting him minister to our wounds and fill us with his grace.” What steps can you take to allow these personal needs to be addressed during the Advent and Christmas seasons?
4. The article ends with these words: “Brothers, we serve a generous God. So let’s be just as gen­erous, freely giving what we have freely received – his love, mercy, and forgiveness!” In what ways has God been generous to you?
5. As Catholic men, we are “friends” (John 15:15) and “disciples” of Jesus (John 13:35), and we are receivers of God’s generous love. Do you know of any family members, friends, or acquaintances that also need to experience the healing touch of God’s generous love for them? In what way can you be a vessel of God’s love and healing touch in their lives?
6. Take some time now to pray and ask the Lord reveal to you in a deeper way his great love for you, so you can give it to others. Use the prayer at the end of the article as the starting point.

Maurice Blumberg is the Director of Partner Relations for The Word Among Us Partners, a ministry of The Word Among Us to the military, prisoners, and women with crisis pregnancies or who have had abortions. Maurice was also the founding Executive Director of the National Fellowship of Catholic Men, for which he is currently a Trustee. He can be contacted at mblumberg@wau.org or mblumberg@aol.com.

It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. (John 15:16)

Quick! Ask yourself: “As I read parable in Matthew 25:14-30, do I identify more with the third servant in this parable than with the first two?” If you did, you’re not alone. How quick we are to fear that because we fall short of serving the Lord as we should, we may lose the little bit we think we have! We may even think that the outcome of this parable is unfair. Why should those who already have so much receive even more?

But this isn’t a parable about fairness. It’s about Jesus’ ability to empower us to serve him and bear fruit for the Gospel— fruit that surpasses what we would naturally expect and fruit that will last (John 15:16).

Think of the potential damage that just one person can do to the devil’s plans. Consider a father who teaches his children about the ways of the Lord. Think of how he models strength, patience, justice, and kindness to them. Think of the way he helps them to pray and teaches them to treat each other with love and consideration. Day after day, week after week, he is bringing about the kingdom of God in these children’s lives. And not just in their lives, but in the lives of their own future children. His influence, in fact, has the potential to reach generations!

Or consider the man, young or old, who witnesses to his faith in Jesus at school, or at work, or in a retirement group. Think of the number of persons he can stimulate to expect that God will work in their lives. Think about the ways these men or women, now on fire for the Lord, can influence others. And so on, and so on, and so on.

It’s true. God really can use you to extend his kingdom to others! Choose one situation this week where you can make a difference, one friend or acquaintance who you can bring one step closer to the Lord. Step out in faith, and see what kind of effect you can have. If you give the Lord an inch, he will take you a mile! Then one day you will hear the Lord say to you: “Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy” (Matthew 25:21).

“Lord Jesus, I desire to be a faithful servant in extending your kingdom. Holy Spirit, I give you permission to work more fully in my life. Come and fill me with your power and gifts, so that I might bear fruit for the kingdom of God. ”

Many thanks to The Word Among Us for allowing me to adapt meditations in their monthly devotional magazine. Used with permission.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion by Catholic Men

1. Take some time to meditate and reflect on the Scriptures at the beginning of the article. What do you think God is trying to reveal to you through them?
2. How would you answer this question posed at the beginning of the article: “As I read the parable in Matthew 25:14-30, do I identify more with the third servant in this parable than with the first two?”
3. In the parable, the third servant who buried his master’s talent said he did it “out of fear.” What do you think he meant by this statement? Why do you think the servant was so harshly punished?
4. The article states that Jesus desires “to empower us to serve him and bear fruit for the Gospel” so that we can do damage to the devil’s plans. What areas of your life need greater empowering by the Lord, so you can serve him better and bear more fruit?
5. If you have children, how do you compare to the father described in the article? What steps can you take to be more like him?
6. The article speaks of the man “who witnesses to his faith in Jesus at school, or at work, or in a retirement group.” In what ways do you witness to your faith in Jesus to other men? Where is there room for improvement?
7. The article goes on to say that “God really can use you to extend his kingdom!” What steps can you take in the upcoming weeks to “extend his kingdom”?
8. How important is it to hear the following words from the Gospel parable when you meet the Lord in Heaven?  “Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come share your master’s joy” (Matthew 25:21). What do you believe are the “small matters” in your life that require more faithfulness?
9. Take some time now to pray for a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit and all the grace you need to bear fruit for the Kingdom of God. Use the prayer at the end of the meditation as the starting point.

Maurice Blumberg is the Director of Partner Relations for The Word Among Us Partners, a ministry of The Word Among Us to the military, prisoners, and women with crisis pregnancies or who have had abortions. Maurice was also the founding Executive Director of the National Fellowship of Catholic Men, for which he is currently a Trustee. He can be contacted at mblumberg@wau.org or mblumberg@aol.com.

With all prayer and supplication, pray at every opportunity in the Spirit. To that end, be watchful with all perseverance and supplication for all the holy ones. (Ephesians 6:18)

Do not quench the Spirit. (1 Thessalonians 5:19)

The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. (Romans 8:16)

In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groanings. And the one who searches hearts knows what is the intention of the Spirit, because it intercedes for the holy ones according to God’s will (Romans 8:26-27)

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? (1 Corinthians 3:16)

The love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. (Romans 5:5)

I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. (John 16:12,13)

Now to him who is able to accomplish far more than all we ask or imagine, by the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

“Do you pray in the Spirit?”

If someone were to ask you this question, how would you answer it? Perhaps you would avoid answering by saying: “What is your definition of praying in the Spirit?” However, rather than trying to come up with a definition, perhaps, the best answer is: “Of course I do. I couldn’t pray without the help of the Holy Spirit.”  This truth is why in so many of St. Paul’s letters, he speaks of the importance of praying in the Spirit. He tells us that we “have access in one Spirit to the Father” (Ephesians 2:18); to “pray at every opportunity in the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:18); and not to “quench the Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 5:19), for it is the Spirit that “bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Romans 8:16).

If, as Paul wrote, “we do not know how to pray as we ought” (Romans 8:26), how can we ever hope to reach God’s ear without the Spirit? Paul himself gives the answer: The Spirit intercedes for us “with inexpressible groanings … according to God’s will” (8:26,27). It is the Spirit—the life and power of God active within us through Baptism—who leads us in prayer.

It is no coincidence that this teaching on prayer in Romans comes in the middle of this letter, a letter devoted to the power of Jesus’ death and resurrection. As in all other things, Jesus is our model for prayer, and his cross is the source of our prayer. Just as Jesus put aside his own will, even his own life, and relied fully on his Father’s will, the same applies to us. Prayer that touches the Father’s heart is prayer that puts aside our own ideas and presuppositions, so that we can learn to pray in a new and more powerful way “in the Spirit.”

Do you know that “your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you” (1 Corinthians 3:16)? Can you trust that many of your desires to love God, pray for people’s healing and conversion, and offer forgiveness come from God himself through the Spirit he has given you (Romans 5:5)? Before Jesus left the world, he promised he would send his Holy Spirit to guide us “in all truth” (John 16:12), speak to us, and prompt us on a level that far surpasses human words.

Even when we feel out of touch with the Holy Spirit, that doesn’t mean he has left us. It only means that we need to reach out to him. Look for ways that he may be prompting you to pray, to worship, and to intercede beyond what you might normally do on your own.

How do we pray in the Spirit? Try this approach when you pray and see what happens:

1. Begin by asking Jesus to give you a fresh infilling of his Holy Spirit.
2. Ask the Spirit to give you a deeper love for God, and a deeper knowledge and experience of his love that goes beyond the power of words to express.
3. Quiet your mind and let it rest on a passage from Scripture.
4. Ask the Spirit to deepen your understanding of what the Lord wants to speak to you through the Scriptures.
5. Say yes to what you believe the Lord is saying to you.
6. Finally, respond to what you are hearing with words of thanksgiving and praise.

As you place your trust more and more in the work of the Holy Spirit in your life, you will come to realize that he has far more glorious plans for you than you could ever “ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20-21).

“Lord Jesus, come and fill me afresh with your Spirit. Holy Spirit, open my heart when I pray, so that God’s love and mercy might penetrate the depths of my soul. Teach me to pray in a way that enkindles in my heart a desire that the Father’s will be done in my life, in the life of my family, and in the life of your church.”

Many thanks to The Word Among Us for allowing me to adapt meditations in their monthly devotional magazine. Used with permission.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion by Catholic Men

1. Take some time to meditate and reflect on the Scriptures at the beginning of the article. What do you think God is trying to reveal to you through them?
2. How would you answer the question that is posed in the article: “Do you pray in the Spirit?”
3. St. Paul tells us in Romans 8:26 that “we do not know how to pray as we ought.” What do you do when this happens to you?
4. The article goes on to tell us that “Jesus is our model for prayer.” In what ways is he the model for your prayer?
5. We are told In 1 Corinthians 3:16, Romans 5:5, and John 16:12 that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, that the love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit will guide us in all truth. What are some examples from your own life of the reality of these Scriptures?
6. The article ends with an approach we can use to “pray in the Spirit.” Try experimenting with this approach in the next few weeks. What do you expect will happen as you do? If you are in a men’s group, share the results at your next meeting.
7. Take some time now to pray and ask the Lord for a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit and a deeper experience of what it means to pray in the Spirit. Use the prayer at the end of the article as the starting point.

Maurice Blumberg is the Director of Partner Relations for The Word Among Us Partners, a ministry of The Word Among Us to the military, prisoners, and women with crisis pregnancies or who have had abortions. Maurice was also the founding Executive Director of the National Fellowship of Catholic Men, for which he is currently a Trustee. He can be contacted at mblumberg@wau.org or mblumberg@aol.com.

You have been raised to life with Christ, so set your hearts on the things that are in heaven, where Christ sits on his throne at the right side of God. Keep your minds fixed on things there, not on things here on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:1-3)

If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him. (Matthew 7:11)

In your presence is fullness of joy. Psalm 16:11

The three previous articles challenged us live out our call as Catholic men to be disciples of Jesus Christ, to live transformed lives, and to live what we believe. How can we meet these immense challenges, unless we also know that “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). And what steps can we take to make these uplifting words of St. Paul a greater reality in our own lives? Paul certainly had to deal with more than his fair share of hardships. But no matter what he faced—be it a shipwreck, imprisonment, a mob attack, or a public scourging (2 Corinthians 11:23-27) —he always managed to hold on to his sense of contentment and, at times, even joy. How on earth did he do it?

Not by earthly means, that’s how! Paul was able to remain peaceful because he kept his heart and mind fixed on heavenly things, on the Lord Jesus (Colossians 3:1-2), and on his own inner witness of joy and peace. He knew what God had called him to do, and he trusted that his heavenly Father would take care of him no matter what. It’s this kind of trust in God’s goodness and provision that can sustain us as well. He is on our side! His plan and his power are so much bigger than the challenges we may be facing right now: a family situation, a financial hardship, a wounded relationship, a sudden illness, or anything else.

But how do we get to this point of trust in the Lord? How can we be so sure that God is for us? The answer is simple, although often hard to implement. And it’s something we can never emphasize enough: through spending time with the Lord in prayer. Every day, we need to refresh ourselves by coming into God’s presence, immersing ourselves in his word, and being strengthened by the Holy Spirit. All it takes is twenty minutes a day and we will find ourselves more trusting, more peaceful, and less anxious when tough times come our way.

There is no substitute for daily prayer and Scripture reading. Even when life is going well, we need to touch the presence of God so that we don’t wander away from him. Our Father wants to give us so many good gifts (Matthew 7:11), not just help us in tough times. He wants to convince us every day that he is for us and that nothing can separate us from his love, and that if we are rooted in him: “in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us ” (Romans 8:37).

Heavenly Father, I believe that you are for me, not against me. Lord Jesus, I place my hope in your great love for me, and in your words and your ways. I ask for the grace to stay close to you in good times and in bad times. In your presence is fullness of joy. And so I ask also for the grace to spend time in your presence every day in prayer.

Many thanks to The Word Among Us for allowing me to adapt meditations in their monthly devotional magazine. Used with permission.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion by Catholic Men

1. Take some time to meditate and reflect on the Scriptures at the beginning of the article. What do you think God is trying to reveal to you through them?
2. The article begins by referring to Romans 8:31: “If God is for us, who can be against us?” It then challenges us with this question: “And what steps can we take to make these uplifting words of St. Paul a greater reality in our own lives?” How would you respond to this question?
3. Read 2 Corinthians 11:24-27, in which Paul gives a litany of all his sufferings in preaching the Gospel.  How do you think Paul was able to withstand these sufferings while still holding “on to his sense of contentment and, at times, even joy”?
4. The article then goes on to pose these two questions to us: “But how do we get to this point of trust in the Lord? How can we be so sure that God is for us?”  The article gives this answer: “through spending time with the Lord in prayer. Every day, we need to refresh ourselves by coming into God’s presence, immersing ourselves in his word, and being strengthened by the Holy Spirit.” Do you agree with this? Why or why not?
5. If you don’t already do it, what do you think the fruits in your life would be if you faithfully spent 10-20 minutes every day in prayer and Scripture reading? If you do pray every day, what do you think the fruits in your life would be if you increased your daily times of prayer by 10-20 minutes?  Are you willing to try it to see what the Lord will produce in your life as a result?
6. Take some time now to pray and ask the Lord for the grace you need to live a life of confident faith and trust in God, knowing that “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). Use the prayer at the end of the article as the starting point.

Maurice Blumberg is the Director of Partner Relations for The Word Among Us Partners, a ministry of The Word Among Us to the military, prisoners, and women with crisis pregnancies or who have had abortions. Maurice was also the founding Executive Director of the National Fellowship of Catholic Men, for which he is currently a trustee. He can be contacted at mblumberg@wau.org or mblumberg@aol.com.

Put to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and the greed that is idolatry. Because of these the wrath of God is coming upon the disobedient. By these you too once conducted yourselves, when you lived in that way. But now you must put them all away anger, fury, malice, slander, and obscene language out of your mouths. Stop lying to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed, for knowledge, in the image of its creator. (Colossians 3:5-10)

For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (Romans 8:29)

Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect. (Romans 12:2)

The first man was from the earth, earthly; the second man, from heaven. As was the earthly one, so also are the earthly, and as is the heavenly one, so also are the heavenly. Just as we have borne the image of the earthly one, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly one. (1 Corinthians 15:47-49)

All of us, gazing with unveiled face on the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, as from the Lord who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

The previous article described our call as Catholic men to be disciples of Jesus Christ. This article, in many ways, is a continuation of that one, since as disciples we are also called to live transformed lives. This call, however, is a daunting one, especially when we are painfully aware of our own weaknesses and sins. In Romans 1:18 and Colossians 3:5-10, St. Paul lists the kinds of vices and sins that will face God’s wrath: wickedness and impiety; suppression of truth; immoral choices, disordered passions and desires; etc. Although he used these words to describe the world in the first century A.D., Paul could just as easily have been writing about the world today. In fact, he could just as easily have been writing about the darkest recesses of our own fallen natures.

This is quite a damning list, but what can we do about it? How can we possibly change our hearts and be transformed into the “image” of Jesus, described so eloquently in the Scriptures above? How can we convince someone else to embrace the Lord, so that they can turn away from sin, when we ourselves struggle to do so? We may even begin to have doubts about whether we will ever be able to fulfill Paul’s admonition to “Put to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly” (Colossians 3:5).

The good news is that human logic or human power or human discipline are not enough to change ourselves or our world—we need God’s power! The gospel tells the entire world the story of a God who loves each of us so much he pursues us relentlessly, even to the point of giving up his own Son for our sins. As Paul wrote, this gospel message really is “the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16)!

Look at your own life. What events have had a spiritual impact on you? What has caused you to renew your faith or take another step closer to the Lord and another step toward overcoming a persistent sin? Maybe you heard a stirring homily at Mass. Maybe you were struck by someone’s deep faith. Maybe it was a Scripture passage or a book you read. Maybe it was the graces you received from the sacrament of areconciliation. Whatever it was, at the heart, it was the relentless call of God that changed you. People can be persuaded by reason, or they can be swayed by emotional argument; but only the Holy Spirit can bring about deep and lasting transformation in the human heart.

That’s good news! And in spite of any current weaknesses that linger on in our flesh, we must still preach the gospel by our lives—we can even use words if we have to. We are like the megaphone God uses to amplify his call to each person. But in the end, our witness is meant to point people to Jesus. He is the one who is transforming us, and he is the one who will penetrate a person’s conscience and transform their lives as well.

“Lord Jesus, I thank you, that through the power of your Holy Spirit, you are transforming me more and more into your image. I am not ashamed of the gospel! It is the power of God for salvation. I believe you have called me to share your life in me with others. Lord, may my actions and words amplify that call to everyone I meet!”

Many thanks to The Word Among Us for allowing me to adapt meditations in their monthly devotional magazine. Used with permission.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion by Catholic Men

1. Take some time to meditate and reflect on the Scriptures at the beginning of the article. What do you think God is trying to reveal to you through them?
2. The article begins with these words: “The call to live a transformed life as Catholic Men is a daunting one.” This is easy to see when we look at the kinds of vices and sins, listed in Romans 1:18 and Colossians 3:5-10, that will face God’s wrath. Why is this call a “daunting one” for you?
3. The article goes on to say that “The good news is that human logic or human power or human discipline are not enough to change ourselves or our world—we need God’s power!” Why is this good news for you?
4. How would you answer these questions from the article: “What events have had a spiritual impact on you? What has caused you to renew your faith, or take another step closer to the Lord and another step toward overcoming a persistent sin?”
5. The article ends with these words: “And in spite of any current weaknesses that linger on in our flesh, we must still preach the gospel by our lives—we can even use words if we have to. We are like the megaphone God uses to amplify his call to each person. But in the end, our witness is meant to point people to Jesus. He is the one who is transforming us, and he is the one who will penetrate their conscience and transform their lives as well.” What obstacles are there in your life that keep you from being a better witness to Jesus through your life and your words? What steps can you take to overcome them? What do you expect to happen as you take these steps?
6. Take some time now to pray and ask the Lord for the grace you need to live a transformed life and be a witness to others for Jesus Christ. Use the prayer at the end of the article as the starting point.

Maurice Blumberg is the Director of Partner Relations for The Word Among Us Partners, a ministry of The Word Among Us to the military, prisoners, and women with crisis pregnancies or who have had abortions. Maurice was also the founding Executive Director of the National Fellowship of Catholic Men, for which he is currently a Trustee. He can be contacted at mblumberg@wau.org or mblumberg@aol.com.