The joy of conversion, Christian community, and the Catholic faith
“I suggest that you use the experiences of the last few months. What has the Lord brought you through in the last couple of months? Think of one particular incident. Specifically, what story can you share of how God has given you hope when you needed it? Maybe, like me, you failed to trust him at times when you were so unhappy. Did he abandon you or reveal his merciful love to you in an unexpected way?”
At the end of St. Paul’s Roman letter in chapter 13, he emphasizes love, the love that Jesus was all about in His gospel messages. This is what we owe to one another, sharing God’s love. Amen! This is what our family, friends, neighbors, fellow workers, others and the world long to hear and see in us, God’s love. One way you can do this is by sharing God’s transforming love in your life. Nancy Ward can show you how in her book, Sharing Your Catholic Faith Story: Tools, Tips, and Testimonies.
Today’s Matthew 16:18 has two interpretations. One is that Peter is the rock on which the church of Jesus was built. The other is that Jesus, Himself is the Rock of our salvation. Peter is the “little rock” next to Jesus. He was obviously a stabilizing factor within the early church and today. The Catholic papacy has been something of the eye of almost every religious hurricane in the course of Christian controversy.
1 Kings 19:9a, 11-13a; Psalm 85:9-14; Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 14:22-33 The scriptures this weekend see God’s quiet and steady hand pulling His friends through stormy times. We need that steady assurance during these Covid times. Elijah hears God’s voice in a quiet breeze. And Peter was able to get out of his boat...
During most of my young adult life, I considered myself a spiritual person, but not a religiously affiliated person. I had a deep fascination with reincarnation and the entire New Age Movement. I even attended a few workshops and retreats on metaphysics. It was during an adult education class on “Meditation” that I took the first steps on my journey toward conversion.
Let us grow deeper in faith, hope and love from this day forward. Let us really repent of our past sins and not following Jesus. Let us spend more time each day closer to Jesus in our prayer, wanting to be closer to Him. He will heal us and fill us with all the grace and power we need to bring His good news to others.
I’m part of the elder generation of faithful Christians who know the Truth and bring that Truth to the spiritual orphans of our secular culture. Vigorous and sturdy, we shall bear fruit among those whom no one else can evangelize but who can relate to us right here and now. We interact with the walking wounded at Walmart and can minister to the casualties of the culture of death.
To turn our God-light on, we need to plug our lamp cord into God’s power socket, our baptism. Then we can turn on the Jesus-light inside of us. Knowing and loving Jesus empowers us to radiate His light and love to others. To keep our lights on we need to repent of all our past sins and beg God for His mercy and love.