On Monday, June 29, the Church celebrates the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul. On this day, we remember Paul as a companion of Saint Peter, who, converted millions to Christianity, all the while on his way to Rome, the Eternal City where he would eventually die. In fact, Paul's last request was that he be crucified on an inverted cross, because he felt unworthy to die in the same position that Christ did.
Paul converted his life to Christ and literally was thrown off his high horse where he would hit the ground and his Maker. After that event, Paul changed. His life was no longer about him, but rather about Christ. Paul, in his many letters we have come to know as the Epistles, speaks of his struggles. He speaks of how he longs to be with God in heaven but at the same time realizes he has work to be done. He was strongly attracted to both!
Paul was also a man who had demons inside him, as we all do. To paraphrase Paul, he said, there is a battle goin on inside us; a battle between the forces of good and evil. The good that we would do, it is that that we do not do. The evil that we would avoid, it is that which we do. Sound familar?
On this day, may we all come to realize our ongoing need for God. May we come to understand that our life is an ongoing process of conversion. As Independence Day approaches, may we come to know our complete dependence on God. After all, it was the great Augustine who said: "O God, you have made us for yourself and our hearts are restless until they rest in you!"
Happy Summer!
No comments:
Post a Comment