Why Good Men Fail at Becoming Great Men

Adam was a good man…
but he failed.

Jesus was the greatest man.
In the moment of what appeared to be the ultimate failure, He succeeded.

Why did Adam fail in the moment of temptation?
He neglected to pray.

St. John Vianney warns,
“We don’t find a sinner converted without turning to prayer. We will not find any sinner persevering without depending on prayer. Nor will we ever find a Christian who ends up damned whose downfall did not begin with a lack of prayer.”

St. Joseph, a type of Adam, during his personal vocational crisis, “thought on these things [and] the angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep.”
Though Joseph was considering putting Mary away, he refused to act hastily, or come to a conclusion based on his presumptions.
Rather, St. Joseph set himself apart, entered the silence, considered the matter, and ultimately submitted his dilemma to God.

Scoffers may contend that Joseph “had it easy” because angels appeared to him in dreams, offering certitude during his sore distress.
Yet it is precisely because of his dedication to entering silence before God in prayer, and listening for God, that Joseph became capable of discerning the divine Word.

Angels’ voices do not enable a man to listen in prayer, but prayer enables a man to listen to the angels.

St. Joseph’s determination to hear God’s voice was so intense that his prayer continued deep into his sleep.
The psalmist’s words apply to St. Joseph: “I will bless the Lord who counsels me at night.”

Though a man may endure a spiritual dark night, if he but pray consistently, he will never lack God’s guidance.

Trials, tests, tribulations, and crises will batter against and torment a man; yet the only man who is able to withstand such assailments without faltering is he who sets aside time to enter the silence with the intention of listening to God.

A man who withdraws from prayer will more likely withdraw from his vocation.
A man who neglects prayer will be susceptible to neglecting his family.
A man who protects his interior life is a man who protects his children and wife.

The man who sets aside time, enters the silence, trains himself to listen for the vox, will certainly be guided by the divine compass.

In the account of our Lord Jesus’ transfiguration Luke says, as if almost in passing:
“And whilst he prayed, the shape of his countenance was altered, and his raiment became white and glittering” (Luke 9:29).
Notice that it was while Jesus prayed that His transfiguration occurred.

While we pray and because of prayer will God’s transformative work is accomplished in us.

Prayer is power.
During prayer God communicates Himself to us, so that it is, No longer [we] who live, but Christ who lives in us” (See Galatians 2:20).

Do you want to be transformed?
Do you want to be a great man?
Praying, spending time with the one who was transformed and who transforms, the Greatest Godman will obtain these noble aspirations for you.

As men, we are doers and enjoy challenges.
But St. Joseph says, “Not so fast.”
He reminds us that a doer of the word must first hear the word.
This demands that we listen for the Lord’s promptings.

Do you have trouble sitting still and waiting on God?
If you do, you are not alone.
Reflect on why you don’t want to rest in God.

Often, we avoid God because we don’t want to face ourselves.
What is it about yourself that you don’t like?
How would you like to be better?
Ask St. Joseph for the courage to let God love you.

—St. Joseph, master of the interior life, pray for me.