“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to discern what is the good, pleasing, and the perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2)
This time of year always seems like a transition period to me…like New Year’s Eve. Even though the weather stays warm in most parts and Autumn doesn’t actually take effect this year until Sept. 22, Labor Day spells the end of summer, back to school and for many, back to work after summer vacation, the pool and beach. I used to be sad by the end of this month that my favorite season, Summer, was ending. But as I get older, I’ve come to see this month as a time of excitement because change is in the air. It’s a time for remotivation, renewal, inspiration, adventure…in particular for me, as my husband and I prepare to go to a Pilgrimage in Greece following the footsteps of St. Paul, one of my favorite saints! And we’re leaving September 23, the start of the new season! Are you ready to go new places, climb new heights, see new horizons, dive into new dreams, scale new spiritual heights? Let’s go!
Following the Footsteps of St. Paul
We are excited to travel once again with our hosts, (retired) Sirius XM’s “The Catholic Show” radio show host and author Gus Lloyd, his wife, Michelle, and Fr. Leo Patilinghug, a Baltimore priest and famous chef and cookbook author, on a luxury yacht cruise to the Greek and Turkish Islands! We travelled with them in 2015 to a pilgrimage (Faith & Food) in Italy through Select International, a Christian Tour Company, and then again with Select hosts Fr. Casey Jones from Naples and musician Jon Nivens, in 2023 to the Holy Land and Egypt. These trips have been life-changing for me, and I’m sure Greece will be no less of a spiritual journey. I relate to St. Paul, both as a sinner-turned-‘saint’ and as a writer. I’m not a saint, (of course), but believe we are all called to be saints and disciples of Jesus. Paul started out as Saul, persecuting Christians shortly after Christ’s death and resurrection, and heard from Jesus, who asked him why he was persecuting Him. Then Saul saw a great light, fell off his horse, and was blinded. He later regained his sight and became Paul, a Christian who wrote more than half of the New Testament in the Bible…a bold disciple who preached the Good News of the Gospels throughout Rome, Greece and Turkey, even from a prison cell.
Being Bold and Ready for Change
Paul was nothing if he wasn’t bold…in his messages to love, forgive, be peaceful and joyful no matter what, not to be anxious but to pray unceasingly, and to keep growing spiritually, veering from sins of the flesh. He conveyed these through his written Letters and through his speaking to various countries and peoples. I try to emulate Paul today by being bold in my writing as an author of “edgy” Christian fiction, an inspirational public speaker, and now, as a movie producer trying to spread God’s messages in the Bible throughout the world. I have learned through St. Paul’s teachings to be flexible…through several bouts with pain, suffering, disappointment and heartache during this movie process. I have learned that “love is patient and kind” and I need to forgive those who have deceived or wronged me. I have learned not to seek my will but God’s alone, even when His Plans for me seem unreachable. These lessons have all been hard and some self-inflicted. But I do know, like St. Paul also preaches, that God has been leading me through them to greater things, and I accept that my reward may not be here on earth, but in heaven.
Lord, help me to remember the words of St. Paul in my favorite passage in the Bible (Romans 8:28): “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
