1 Timothy 1:12-19
12 I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he considered me faithful and appointed me to his service, 13 even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance: that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the foremost. 16 But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience as an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life. 17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
18 This charge I commit to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies made earlier about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, 19 having faith and a good conscience. By rejecting conscience, certain persons have suffered shipwreck in the faith;
15 The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance: that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the foremost.
My Mom always said that the best teachers are the ones who had to struggle a little bit to pass their classes when they were in school. Their own struggles leave them with more empathy for their own students who struggle as well as better skills to help them learn.
The same is true with faith formation. St. Paul was a zealous persecutor of Christians before his conversion. Throughout his post-conversion ministry, he was very open and honest about his past. A paraphrase of his message might be: If Jesus can forgive me, he can forgive anyone!”.
When we’re brave enough to allow some of our own scars to show, we give permission for others around us to be their authentic selves as well. Acknowledging our own sinfulness gives us greater empathy for those who need to hear about God’s forgiveness, and frees us to offer them hope.
Prayer: Lord Jesus: I, also am the foremost of sinners that you came to save. Use my wounds to heal someone today. AMEN