While caring for the elderly in our nursing home, one of the most important activities to engage them in is reminiscing--the recalling of past events. It often brings big smiles and laughter to aged faces as they share memories from their school days, meeting their spouse, or that once-in-a-lifetime trip. There’s a certain sacredness to remembering. So much so, that it becomes vital for growth in the spiritual life as well.

The saints and great spiritual masters tell us how important it is to remember the moments of God’s mercy in our lives, the moments of grace. Those times in our lives when we didn’t think we would make it through, and yet, God always provided for our needs, even if it was at the last minute. Remembering God’s providence in our lives is especially important during the most difficult trials of life, when we feel as if God has abandoned us. Remembering His faithfulness in the past can boost our trust in His assistance for the trials of the here and now.

But what about those memories that aren’t so sweet? The painful memories we bring to Jesus. We bring them to the foot of the cross. He who created the universe out of nothing and who turns mere bread and wine into His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity, He too has the power to turn even the most painful of memories into moments of grace.

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Reflection by Sr. Petra, OP