Catholic Men’s Daily Devotional and Bible Study – 28th Week in Ordinary time – Friday – Luke 12:1-7

Following His devastating critique and the announcement of the curses coming to the unrepentant Pharisees and scribes, massive crowds follow Christ, longing to hear and be healed by Him; many thousands of people are so frenzied and numerous that “they trod upon one another.”

Christ sums up the controlling weakness of the Pharisees as their hypocrisy. The word “hypocrite” has Greek roots which mean to be a “stage actor” or “pretender”; the Pharisees and scribes pretended to be holy but were not. Christ (God) has intimate knowledge of every man and sees through the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and scribes. He warns that the Pharisees’ hypocrisy permeates (like leaven spreads throughout dough) all their teachings and corrupts all their followers.

Christ urges His disciples to not cower in the darkness because the Pharisees can only kill the body. Instead, Christ warns that God should be feared; He is all powerful, all knowing and can condemn the soul in eternity to Hell. The disciples should be courageous for Christ reveals that light of the Gospel will be proclaimed everywhere. He promises that God, who has dominion over Heaven and Hell, knows everything (the hairs on a man’s head) and will remember and protect the disciples when they are zealous and unafraid in proclaiming Gospel. Christ promises that men are of great value and that God will take care of them.

Awed by Jesus Christ – Son of God, Jesus 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 disciples to be courageous. Divine Judge, Jesus warns that He acknowledges men who acknowledge Him and deny men who deny Him. Divine King, Christ exhorts men to be fearless in battle and promises to protect them.

Being a Heroic Catholic Man

1) Spurred on by pervasive media, men flock to sporting, entertainment and politics events. Marvel at the Divine Charisma of Christ Jesus which spurs word-of-mouth excitement and draws thousands upon thousands to undertake arduous travel and tough conditions to see Him.

2) In the zealous desire to proclaim Christ’s Mercy, the truth about the coming Judgment by Christ (From the Creed: “He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead”) has been lost for many men; men have lost a legitimate sense of “holy fear.”  Reflect on Christ’s own words: “But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear him!”  Pray for Christ to help you develop a balanced sense of Christ’s Mercy and holy fear.

3) In a world with over 7 billion people, it may seem like most men’s lives don’t matter much. Reflect on the truth that the God has intimate knowledge and love for you personally. Pray for Christ to help you become the man He desires you to be.

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