Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, Apostle
One of the Marianist Sisters I live with is a college professor. An assignment that she gives to her students is a spiritual autobiography. They write an essay about their religious/spiritual journey starting with what religion or spiritual practices they had growing up to their spirituality today. Today’s first reading is, in a sense, Paul’s spiritual autobiography. He recounts his religious upbringing and how he came to know Jesus and became baptized. His story can inspire us to reflect on our own journey of faith.
Maybe your life story is not as dramatic as Paul’s, but it can be helpful to reflect on our own lives. When were the times when you felt God’s presence the most? God can speak to you through those memories. How have those moments shaped your relationship with God? In my own life, some of the most impactful memories are a conversation with a priest during confession that helped me decide to apply to join the Marianist Sisters and the various people who have been examples to me as to how to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. I also recall the time when I have been away from my faith. As I reflect on that period in my life, I see that God has always been with me. When I came back to Catholicism, I felt like I regained my sight like Paul and saw my relationship with God in a new light. Perhaps you have had these moments too.
Paul used his conversion story as a source of conviction for his faith. We too can use our past experiences to ground ourselves in faith. Then, we can be stronger witnesses to the role God has in our lives. What is your story?
—Sr. Emily Sandoval, FMI