Conversion is a Grace

 

LECTIO:

1 Tm 1:12-17

1 Tm 1:12-17

Beloved:
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 arrogant,
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.
This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance:
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.
Of these I am the foremost.
But for that reason I was mercifully treated,
so that in me, as the foremost,
Christ Jesus might display all his patience as an example
for those who would come to believe in him for everlasting life.
To the king of ages, incorruptible, invisible, the only God,
honor and glory forever and ever.  Amen.

STUDIUM:

Paul is writing to Timothy.  He marvels at the undeserving grace he has received. He out of all people!  A blasphemer and persecutor of Christ!  But also see how merciful God has been to Israel.  

MEDITATIO:

Paul conveys his experience of conversion.  It was pure grace.  There is controversy over the authorship of this Book.  Does it matter?  It's the message of God's grace, that matters.

ORATIO:

Lord be merciful to me, a sinner.

CONTEMPLATIO:

Mea culpa.

RESOLUTIO:

God has great patience toward a sinner like Paul.  I promise to try to have more patience with the people I meet every day.