My parousia or whatever--powerful insight given--on praying for deeper conversions to Christ has been bearing much fruit in my life. I hope it is, also, in the lives of those for whom I pray for conversion to Christ and for deeper conversions to Christ--in Christ Jesus!
Again, this is a prayer that God will always answer. He will answer our prayers for deeper conversions to Christ because that is what God wants of us, what Jesus asks, what the Holy Spirit desires...and what the Virgin Mary helps to facilitate for all of us children of God.
Another aspect struck me the other night after M, my high school helper who has kindly come now thrice to help me spot trees, dig some holes, grind stumps and chainsaw out shrubs, and plant some trees. He and I have planted thus far, three trees. M is to return today. But what struck me after he left on Monday, is what a joy it is for me to pray for deeper conversion in Christ for him.
I became quite excited and joyous thinking of how this prayer will be answered by God, without any doubt about it. Yes, God will do so in His "time" and way, not mine. I likely will not know the outcome. But yet it will happen; M will find himself drawing closer and closer to Christ.
M had asked me some questions about my life, my activities, and even what led me to become a Catholic--now nearly 24 years ago. But regarding questions on my daily activities and contacts, going to church, involvements with people--I finally explained rather than darting around his questions, that I am a consecrated Catholic hermit.
I explained I'm privately professed over 18 years ago after 15 months of discernment and proficiency and novitiate through a start-up community of hermits dotted around the globe, but now defunct. I was not in it long--just under 12 months, but it was beneficial on many levels.
M has asked many excellent questions regarding hermit life, plus other aspects of faith and church. He wanted me to tell him about my conversion to Catholicism, but I said it is a long story with many details that I'd want to concentrate one--and realized I do need to share that story more anonymously, such as in writing or speaking. The graces God has for us when we convert to His Holy Church, or really, in any deeper conversion to and in Christ, deserves our gratitude, respect, and focus if sharing.
M and I needed to also focus on the here and now of digging holes, mixing peat, manure, a vermiculate type additive, and now gypsum since I located it at Lowe's. Glory be to God for the beauty and delight of His created trees of all types, flowers, plants--so many I doubt any of us could really fathom the varieties of cultivars and flora species.
But my excitement continues in praying for deeper conversion for souls all over the world and in purgatory. It is a deep and true joy to know I'm praying for what His Real Presents wants and also what His mother, the Virgin Mary helps bring about.
In fact, just again, during my rest break from planting two smaller trees (had to power saw through some fat roots in the way and break through too-heavy of weed barrier that should never be used!), I was reminded, seriously reminded, yet again of the mission of Mary in our lives, and her loving grace of mercy and of leading us to Jesus. To Jesus through Mary--Mary helps connect us, she is a true conduit in bringing about our conversions and deeper conversions.
I became quite thrilled with the reminder, as--mercy on me!--I've really been slipshod for some time, or so it seems in my estimation and self-examin of conscience. M had offered to teach me how to change oil in my truck (Precious Blood), as he said it would help save money and be better quality oil that would help the engine run longer.
I wanted to tell M about how when early on as a Catholic convert, I'd been asking the Lord just what is the purpose or function or position of Mary? Immediately I got the response: She is the catalytic converter. Seemed strange, but since I did not know what is a catalytic converter but thought it "rang a bell" as to having to do with a vehicle, I did ask my then car mechanic. He explained some of it.
Made perfect sense. But I'm going to ask M to explain in his words and viewpoint, as I recall a catalytic converter is necessary for the best and perfect functioning of an engine--something to do with necessary oxygen exchange or such. I'll share what M says; many of you readers already know what is a catalytic converter, in easy-to-understand terms.
I'm going to reconsecrate myself to Mary. I must! Even if I may not have much time left in this phase of life, and the temporal tasks are mounting with little time left before the surgeon appointment tomorrow, I know for certain in various tangible and spiritual ways--too many to recount here--that my prayer for my own self to have deeper conversions to and in Christ is being answered bountifully!
I know that my praying for my cousin and her family for deeper conversions is being answered--even if bringing them to yet another most difficult cross to bear--for her to bear another life-threatening surgery through which she has come through. Yet her life will be further temporally challenged by more disability of mobility and organ function. Suffering is always a means of encouraging us to deeper conversion in Christ! Lord, to Whom shall we go? Jesus holds the Words--Is the Word--to eternal life!
This morning, a young man named Ethan came to mark where the telephone lines are hidden under ground. I had not even considered these lines because I've not had a landline phone for 15 years. But sure enough, the previous owners, now 90 and 92, had landline phones. I felt the encounter with Ethan something other--so we talked a bit. I ended up sharing with him my death experience, of all things! He was delighted with the love, joy, and hope we have and how dying is easy and filled with indescribable grace.
After he left, I wondered why that all came up and out, and I realized the Holy Spirit knows, the Holy Spirit sparks us, gives us impetus to witness. How should I know what good it might do Ethan? We don't know our day nor our hour to depart this life or when others will depart this life. Someone being told--and he was aptly listening, appreciating, interested--how it is to die and the joy of knowing how real is God!--that can make a difference in our lives when it comes our turn, or how we react to and handle and help those around us if it is their time. Reassuring and hopeful!
The surgeon's office just called with reminder of 1 p.m. appt. tomorrow. The Lord is kind and merciful, overflowing with kindness and love! The Blessed Mother, my late parents, my late spiritual father and who knows who all else has been praying and assisting me to keep a goin' this week. I've not had to go to ER and have surgery by one of this surgeon's colleagues, although of course I would have had I lost mobility or the other warnings the surgeon PA gave me a week ago now.
God bless His Real Presence in us!
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