What's your story?

Good News Reflection
Tuesday of the 27th Week of Ordinary Time
October 5, 2010

Today's Readings:
Gal 1:13-24
Ps 139:(24b)1b-3,13-15
Luke 10:38-42
http://www.usccb.org/nab/100510.shtml
USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/10_10_05.mp3

What's your story?

How comfortable are you telling stories about your faith growth? If anyone asks you why you're a Christian and how did it happen, would you have a conversion story to share? Yes, undoubtedly. No matter whether you were raised Catholic or in some other Christian denomination or you discovered the Christian faith more recently, you have a story that could help others.

Actually, you have a number of conversion stories. Any time your life changed as a result of discovering something new spiritually – taking you closer to God and deeper into the life of the Church – you experienced conversion. Any time a problem brought you closer to Jesus and his sufferings on the cross, you experienced conversion.

Any time you repented from a sin, you experienced a conversion that could help others if you talk about it, like St. Paul did in today's first reading. Any time you put aside the busyness of life to sit quietly and learn from Jesus, you experienced conversion, like Martha did in today's Gospel reading.

There are people in your life right now who are ready to be like Mary in this Gospel, but they don't know how. They want to sit at the feet of the Jesus who lives in you; they want to hear him from your voice. God has placed you in their lives to be Jesus in the flesh for them. They want to hear your stories of love and faith. They want to be loved by the Jesus in you.

Trust that the Holy Spirit will inspire them through your story. Some will ponder what you said and respond to the Spirit's guidance rather quickly. Others will change their lives only after hearing many other faith stories, because right now they don't want to accept the truth completely. That's okay! God appreciates you for sharing the truth with them in your own way, with your own faith-building story.

Here's how to become more comfortable sharing your story: First choose any conversion experience and get very familiar with it. Answer these questions: (1) What was my life like before this happened and why did I want something to change? (2) What helped me to find God? (3) How did my life improve as a result of this conversion?

Next, tell it to people who understand, for example in a prayer group or faith-sharing community at church or a Christian friend. Then you'll know that you really do have the ability to share it. This confidence will empower you to tell it to someone who needs to hear it for their own growth.

Never underestimate the power of your story! You can make a difference in other people's lives just by being a blabbermouth about God's love!

© 2010 by Terry A. Modica
This work is NOT in Public Domain and may NOT be copied without permission.
You may print one copy for your own personal use.
For PERMISSION and info on how to copy this reflection for sharing, see:
http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm

Seeking a past reflection?
Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free to subscribers of these emailed reflections.

WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?
Sign up for your own subscription! Go to http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections

Why do I need your help in my daily ministry?
Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. Please visithttp://gnm.org/donate.htm where you can make a real difference - even if you cannot make a financial donation!

Join the cause on facebook and help spread the message!

Note: Good News Ministries http://gnm.org is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources, LLC http://catholicdr.com is Terry Modica's publishing house providing professional writing services; the income from this will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.

______________________________________________________________
This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.
MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:
Sign up at http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
or change your address
or unsubscribe