Daily Meditation - Monday 28April 2008 - 6th week of Easter - SIGNS OF AND AFFECTS AND EFFECTS OF A CONVERSION EXPERIENCE

[BarbaraTherese]

Readings
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Meditation
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Acts 16:11-15

In today’s first reading, Paul journeys to Europe, where he meets a businesswoman named Lydia. And what began as a normal day by the river turned into a life-changing spiritual encounter for Lydia and her family. Lydia, a Gentile, was already a worshipper of the God of the Jews, but God had plans for her to know his Son as well. Luke tells us that God opened Lydia’s heart to Paul’s preaching, and ***she became his first European convert to Christianity (Acts 16:14). ***From this point on, Lydia’s life would now be characterized by a loving, life-giving relationship with Jesus.

This is the very nature of conversion:

• God touches our hearts and makes us aware of his love, our sinfulness, and our need for his mercy.
• Such an awareness moves us to turn toward him
• so that he can begin a process of teaching
• and empowering us to embrace his goodness
• and reject the glamour of evil.

While the story of Lydia in Acts is short, we can be sure that it didn’t end where Luke leaves it. Lydia’s conversion not only prompted her to accept baptism; it also moved her to welcome Paul and his companions into her home.

• Such an act of generosity shows that “conversion urges expression in visible signs, gestures, and works of penance” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1430).
• It also shows that conversion is not just a one-time event
• but a lifelong process.
• It involves continually being open to God
• and bearing good fruit as we learn to cooperate with his Spirit.
• As God continues to help us open our hearts to him,
• we are transformed bit by bit.
• The most important changes we experience do not come as a result of big, spectacular events
• but from the ordinary events of our day
• . We leave behind the marks of our old life as selfishness gives way to service,
• wasted time becomes opportunities for prayer
• , and the approval of God eclipses human praise.

So let us keep the door of our hearts wide open to Jesus so we can be remolded into his beautiful image!

“Father, deepen the conversion of my heart and let me experience greater intimacy with you. May my experience of your vast love inspire and strengthen me to love and serve others in the name of your only Son, Jesus.”

 

[bwhite06517]

Feeling down?

From today’s Psalm, we have the refrain:

The Lord takes delight in his people

Isn’t that comforting!!! God loves us - He (the creator of the Universe) - DELIGHTS in me (one of His people!!).

[SIGN]WOW - God DELIGHTS IN ME!!![/SIGN]

 

[BarbaraTherese]

It is beautiful!..and thank you for sharing this awesome thought based in Scripture!..Blessings - Barb

WOW - God DELIGHTS IN ME TOO …AS WELL AS ALL YOU’SE ALSO!!!http://forums.catholic-questions.org/images/misc/signholder.gif