Catholic Men’s Daily Devotional and Bible Study – 24th Week in Ordinary time – Friday – Luke 8:1-3

After the establishment of His base in Capernaum, Christ expands His ministry, traveling through surrounding cities and villages around Galilee and preaching His good news (the Gospel) of the Kingdom of God (or Heaven). The Kingdom of God is announced by Christ in the Incarnation and reflects God’s complete dominion over Creation and Salvation History. Those conformed to Christ, who do the Father’s will, are members of the Kingdom who gain the forgiveness of sins and everlasting life with God.

The Kingdom of God is both present now in the Church Christ established and still to come into fullness in the future when God’s will is done everywhere. Christ demonstrates the coming of the Kingdom by the Incarnation, His preaching and His many miracles. His miracles include the healing of physical bodies (infirmaries) and the spirit (the casting out of demons).

Among Christ’s followers are those who have gained access to the Kingdom of God by their faith. The leaders of His Kingdom in the Church, the Apostles (The Twelve), were called by Christ to “be with” Him; these men are witnesses who are trained to expand awareness of the Kingdom after Christ’s Ascension. Christ, confirming the opening of the Kingdom to both men and women, allows women to accompany Him on His mission work, a counter-cultural act in a culture in which men and women were not allowed to associate in public. The women, demonstrating their commitment to the Kingdom, financially supported Christ and His Apostles, men who had given up their livelihoods for the Kingdom.

Awed by Jesus Christ – Son of God and Divine Prophet, Christ announces His Kingship and announces of the Kingdom of God. Divine King, Christ appoints His key Apostles and accepts the support of good women. Divine Physician, Christ heals all human ailments including those of the body and demon possession.

Being a Heroic Catholic Man

1) Men in modern democracies feel entitled to their freedom of will and to have a say in how they are governed. Reflect on Christ’s absolute power as Divine King and that men in the Kingdom (both now and in Heaven) must have absolute submission to His Will.

2) Unlike the Apostles, most Catholic men are not “with Christ”; few have a daily habit of prayer, only a third go to weekly Mass and only 1 in 5 go to Confession in a given year. Pray for Christ to help you and all Catholic men “to be with” Him.

3) Despite the current abhorrence to male leadership in the modern culture and pre-occupation with “equality”, God establishes men to have headship in their families and in the Church; much of the pathology of modern culture is because of the failure of men in their God-given responsibility to lead. Pray for Christ to strengthen you, and all men, to be sacrificial protectors, providers and leaders who bring their families and many souls to Christ.

Spiritual Practices – Include in Today’s Prayers

Sacred Mystery of Rosary – The Sorrowful Mysteries

Daily Devotion – The Passion and Death of our Lord Jesus Christ

Virtue of the Day – Faith

Corporal Work of Mercy – To visit the sick

Spiritual Work of Mercy – To forgive all injuries