The previous five Catholic Man Channel articles provided insights into the following questions:
1. What does it mean to be a real man?
2. What does it mean to be a holy man?
3. What does it mean to be a man of God?
This article is a continuation on the previous article on what it means to be a man of God. We all know that Jesus was the perfect man of God. And even though we will never be as perfect as Jesus, we are still called to model the characteristics that made him a man of God. Let's look at a few of them.
Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does" (John 5:19-20).
So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him" (John 8:28-29).
For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it. I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say (John 12:49-50).
…but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me (John 14:31).
Above all, Jesus had the ability to hear, obey, and trust God! He knew how to hear his Father clearly, and he trusted him absolutely. Jesus staked his whole life on the Father's desire to protect and deliver him long enough for him to accomplish what he was sent to do (John 7:29-30).
What a great opportunity we have, during the remaining weeks of Lent and after Lent, to develop and improve our own ability to hear, obey, and trust God, and be the men of God he has called us to be. Let me suggest four steps we can take each day to open ourselves to the grace of God and allow the Lord to form each of us into a man of God.
Daily Plan:
1. Every day we can examine our lives and repent for times we haven't lived according to what we know God wants.
2. Every day, we can look for a couple of opportunities to obey what we think God is saying to us. Our experience will reinforce the truths that we do know and will teach us even more about how the Holy Spirit speaks to us.
3. Every day we can spend time listening to God in prayer and through reading Scriptures. One practical way to learn to hear, trust, and obey God is to write down a few things: What do I think the Holy Spirit is saying to me? What did I do about it? And what was the result? Perhaps you could keep an ongoing prayer journal on a small notebook or pad of paper. At the end of your prayer, use it to jot down what you believe the Spirit is speaking to you.
4. At the end of each day, review your prayer journal and make a brief note of any prayer that was answered, any steps you took in response to the Spirit's leading, and any results you noticed. Some days, you might have nothing to record, or only missteps (but we learn even from those).
These four steps are not some formula to follow that automatically transforms you into a man of God, nor is it the complete answer — but it is a good starting point. Try these four steps. You will be surprised at what God's grace will accomplish in you, as you are able to hear, obey, and trust God,
"Holy Spirit, I want to hear from you. Teach me, lead me, and guide me through my days. Help me to hear, trust, and obey you every day. I want to be the man of God you have called me to be. I want to accomplish what you created me for."
Many thanks to The Word Among Us for allowing us to adapt material from daily meditations in their monthly devotional magazine. Used with permission.
Questions for Reflection/Discussion by Catholic Men
1. The article says that Jesus had the ability to hear, obey, and trust God, and this is what allowed him to be a man of God. Do you agree with this? Why or why not? Are there other characteristics of Jesus you would add?
2. In what way do you believe that God is calling you to be a man of God by learning more and more to hear, obey, and trust him?
3. Which of the steps listed above can help you to be a man of God? Are there any that you think are not practical right now for your life? Are there any additional steps you would add or delete?
4. Develop a daily plan for yourself. Are there at least two or three steps that you are willing to commit to each day during the next few weeks of the Lenten and Easter season? If you are in a men's group, come prepared to share the fruits at your next meeting.
5. What additional steps can you implement in the future as part of your everyday life (over and above those previously identified)? What impact do you expect these additional steps to have on helping you to be a man of God? At a future men's group meeting, share the impact these additional steps have had on you.
