Catholic Men’s Daily Devotional and Bible Study – 12th Week in Ordinary time – Sunday – Cycle A – Matthew 10:26-33

The daily Gospel reading from the Mass for Sunday – Cycle A of the 12th Week of Ordinary Time is Matthew 10:26-33.

Having commanded the Apostles to depart on their first evangelization mission and warned them of the persecutions that will come to them, Christ continues with His Missionary Sermon (Matt 10) by promising that God will remember and protect the Apostles when they are zealous and unafraid in proclaiming Gospel.

Christ reveals that despite evil men’s hostile resistance of the Gospel, nothing will be able to stop the Gospel from being proclaimed; everything that is hidden will be revealed. The Apostles, mere men, can participate in the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven by publicly and persistently proclaiming the Gospel. Christ, who will soon give up His own precious life to vicious mobs of men in the Crucifixion, urges the Apostles to not worry about their earthly life.

Rather than fear persecution, Christ reveals that the Father, who has dominion over Heaven and Hell, knows everything about them and that He will deliver them in the end. Christ warns that men who wish for salvation must publicly acknowledge Him; those who deny Him are doomed. Rather than fear men, Christ reveals that men should fear God, who can destroy both soul and body in Hell.

Awed by Jesus Christ – Son of God, Christ describes His Father based on first hand Divine knowledge, reiterates the reality of Hell and the truth about the Judgment. Perfection of Virtue, Christ exhorts the Apostles to be courageous.  Divine Judge, Jesus warns that He acknowledges men who acknowledge Him and deny men who deny Him.

Being a Heroic Catholic Man

1) Reread today’s Gospel, marveling at Christ’s personal insight into the Father including His power (can destroy the soul), His knowledge (knows the hair on your head) and the Father’s trust in the Son.

2) Christ’s reference of the continued existence of the body and soul in today’s Gospel is confirmed by His own Resurrection. Renew your understanding of the Body and Soul (CCC 362-368) and pray for Christ to give you a longing for your own eternal life.

3) Many Catholic men fail to make disciples for Christ, failing to even bring their own children to Him. Come to grips with the truth that “service and witness to the faith are necessary for salvation” (CCC 1816) and pray for Christ to make you a evangelizer of many souls.

Spiritual Practices – Include in Today’s Prayers

Sacred Mystery of Rosary – The Glorious Mysteries

Daily Devotion – The Blessed Trinity

Virtue of the Day – Charity

Corporal Work of Mercy – To feed the hungry

Spiritual Work of Mercy – To admonish the sinner