Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows

I am grateful to him who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he considered me trustworthy in appointing me to the ministry. I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and an arrogant man, but I have been mercifully treated because I acted out of ignorance in my unbelief. Indeed, the grace of our Lord has been abundant, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

In a way, we are all like Paul in that we have been arrogant and sinned against God and others. Thankfully, God is merciful in spite of our failings and instead of condemning us, our Heavenly Father gives us every opportunity to turn our lives around. He might not knock us to the ground and show us visions as He did Paul, but God does nudge us every now and then in the right direction and whisper in our ears in hopes that we will listen. Our God treats us mercifully, strengthening us and pouring out His abundant graces so we might grow in faith and love. He wants us all to minister to Him and His children through thoughts, words, and works. He wants us to answer the call and accept our mission to be priests, prophets, and servant leaders for His people. And if we do this, then we like Paul will be considered a trustworthy servant and worthy of the Kingdom.

How can we overcome our arrogance and sins and turn our lives around? Are we willing to allow God to guide us to where we need to be and to what we need to be doing just as Paul did? What can we do to put ourselves into position to answer God’s call when it comes?

O Lord, we are grateful for the strength you’ve given us.

Amen.