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Men of Epiphany will not be meeting this weekend ~ Have a great Labor Day Weekend!

Here is the study for the 2nd. See you again on September 9th.  

Committing Our Lives to the Lord, Receiving New Life in Christ

Sunday, September 3, 2006
Deuteronomy 4:1-2,6-8
Psalm 15:2-5
James 1:17-18,21-22,27
Mark 7:1-8,14-15,21-23

Click here for readings  (For quick review only; bring your Bible)

We all know that flipping burgers at the church picnic, singing in the choir, or serving at the soup kitchen does not make us Christian. But what about reading our Bible or regularly attending Mass? Not exactly. You are a Christian when Jesus plants his divine life into you and you receive it through faith. Nothing else can replace this combined act of divine grace and human response! It is a gracious gift, not an earned right like a military rank or an academic degree.

Now, having received this gift, what are we to do with it? A royal baby has done nothing to merit his future crown, and yet from the day of his birth he is expected to learn the ways of the king and embrace his duties. In a similar way, our new birth in Christ at baptism also brings certain responsibilities. We must learn the way of the gospel by embracing Jesus’ teaching in our hearts and in our actions.

If we want the spiritual empowerment that we have received in baptism to have any effect on us at all, then we must become “doers of the word, and not merely hearers” (James 1:22). That means that we must step out and do what God says! This is the only way the new life in Christ will move from being a planted seed at baptism to becoming a majestic tree that bears fruit in our lives and out in the world.

The saints are holy not because they spoke eloquently about God but because they committed their lives to Jesus Christ and to doing God’s will. Are we willing to do the same? If we are, each of us can be a “saint” in our own way. Each of us has the awesome privilege of participating in our own salvation through surrender, trust, and obedience to Christ. Of course we can’t save ourselves through works like singing in the choir or reading good books. But through Christ in us, we can do the works of God and receive eternal life.

“Lord Jesus, I want to please you in every way. I surrender my life to you. By your Spirit, empower me to live a new life worthy of the calling I have received—a life worthy of the grace you have poured into me through my baptism and faith in you.”

Questions for Reflection/Discussion by Catholic Men

1.       In today’s first reading, Moses declares that the Israelites obedience to the commandments of God will be a great witness to other nations and will bring glory to God. Why do you believe this is so? Moses also warns the Israelites to keep God’s law, not adding or subtracting from it. In what way is our obedience to Christ and his commandments in our daily lives a witness to others that he is truly the Lord? How are you doing? What steps can you take to do better; knowing that “doing better” is not just a matter of trying harder but a greater reliance on the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit?

2.       In the Responsorial Psalm, we are invited to see that God demands that our daily actions, and our dealings with others, need to be carried out blamelessly and in justice. We also hear these words of encouragement, “Whoever does these things will not be disturbed” (Psalm 15:5). Why is our interior peace so dependent on living as godly men?

3.       In the second reading, James tells us that we need to keep ourselves from sin and “to care” for others. What are some steps we can take in our spiritual growth to open ourselves more deeply to God’s transforming love, so that as Catholic men we will “be doers of the word and not hearers only?” What steps can your men’s group take to reach out to others, especially “orphans,” “widows,” and others less fortunate than you?

4.       In the Gospel, Jesus presents examples where the Pharisees have added to God’s law their own commandments (e.g., certain ritual purifications). We are warned about religious observance that is purely external and ritualistic. How does Jesus distinguish between rituals that are empty and those that are from God and are life-giving? We too can be like those Jesus said, “honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” What can we do in our prayer life and in our celebration of the Eucharist, and the other Sacraments, that will allow us to be experience greater renewal in our inner selves and begin to manifest the love, power, and compassion of Christ to others? What other steps can we take as Catholic men to experience more life in other religious practices?

5.       In the meditation, we are challenged to become “doers of the word, and not merely hearers” (James 1:22). The meditation goes on to say, “That means that we must step out and do what God says! This is the only way the new life in Christ will move from being a planted seed at baptism to becoming a majestic tree that bears fruit in our lives and out in the world.” Is your faith and new life in Christ still just a planted seed or is it blooming and bearing much fruit? What can you do to deepen the new life in Christ that dwells in you?

6.       In the meditation, we also hear these challenging words, “The saints are holy not because they spoke eloquently about God but because they committed their lives to Jesus Christ and to doing God’s will. Are you willing to do the same?” Consider saying the prayer together at the end of the mediation and continue to pray for one another that each of you would commit your life more deeply to Jesus Christ. Share the results of these “ongoing” prayers at future men’s group meetings.

Come Holy Spirit!  ~  Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and en kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your spirit and they are created, and you renew the face of the earth. Let us pray: O God, you taught the hearts of your faithful by sending them the light of your Holy Spirit. In that same spirit give us your right judgment and the joy of your consolation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen

Prayer to St. Joseph  ~  Glorious St. Joseph, guide and protector of the Holy Family, we ask that you obtain for us from your son, Jesus, the strength and wisdom to lead our families to their Father in heaven. Most Chaste spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, may we imitate your obedience to the will of God and be ever mindful of the vocation to which we have been called. Amen