To the Ends of the Earth. Mark C. McCann

      Friday

       We Live in the City of God

      Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised

      in the city of our God!

      His holy mountain, beautiful in elevation,

      is the joy of all the earth,

      Mount Zion, in the far north,

      the city of the great King.

      Within her citadels God

      has shown himself a sure defense.

      As we have heard, so have we seen

      in the city of the Lord of hosts,

      in the city of our God,

      which God establishes for ever.

      Psalm 48:1–3, 8

      Through the storms of life, believers can take comfort that in the future we will enter the eternal City of God. No matter how much we struggle, God promises us that the violence and chaos of life will give way to eternal life in a city so beautiful, so secure, that we will never worry or experience sin or sadness again.

      Even now on earth, Catholics experience the City of God within the Church. She is our beautiful refuge from the struggles of life, a fortress of righteousness and joy, the source of our nourishment in the sacraments. We can be assured that she will stand from now until the time when Our Lord comes again to judge the living and the dead. In her we see the victory that is ours in Christ, and we can share this Good News with generations to come.

      Questions for reflection

      How does this vision of our heavenly Jerusalem help you to live in freedom today?

      What is the most beautiful aspect of the Catholic Church that gives you comfort and peace?

      What are you passing on to future generations of believers to give them the hope of heaven?

      Praying with Scripture

      “For he looked forward to the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Heb 11:10).

      Saturday

      Go Deeper

      Do I trust in God’s power when things in my life seem to be falling apart, or do I try to weather the storms on my own?

      Have I surrendered my trials to God this week? If not, what do I need to lay at his feet?

      Do I realize that heaven is my inheritance, and live my life for that goal, or have I allowed storms and troubles to distract me?

      How has God shown me his love and power this week? Have I thanked him for his providence?

      Do I live with an eternal perspective, knowing that God can cause the chaos of my life to give way to the perfect peace of his kingdom?

      How can I accompany a brother who is undergoing trials or storms right now?

      Week 3

       Our Legacy Is One of Hope