What exactly is life-long formation?

For that matter, many of you might find yourselves wondering what “formation” is exactly. When something is formed it is shaped, it is molded. Just as our bodies were formed from the dust of the earth by our Lord God. This type of formation is physical. When we talk about faith formation we are talking about the spiritual and mental. Faith formation is about shaping our lives around our faith and for our God. We do this in many ways. Some of us attend religious education classes to learn more about the history and tenets of the Church. Others of us attend speaking events and conferences to share our knowledge with others. Still others of us “go to a quiet room and pray”, each time growing in our faith. At the heart of all faith formation is growth in our relationship with Jesus. That is how we shape and mold ourselves in faith, building that relationship. When you think about other relationships in your life, are they stagnant? Do you at a certain point completely figure out that friend, spouse, child, or parent? Or do you constantly learn more about that person? Each day do you grow that relationship stronger by learning more about what makes the other person unique? Now, think about your relationship to Jesus. I am sure that you know of him. You know events of his life, you know miracles he performed, you even know he died for us. But do you know him, like you know your best friend, or your spouse, or your parents? This is why formation is a life-long journey. We never stop growing in our relationship with the creator of the universe. From the moment we are baptized we enter into a new life, a life in Christ. From that moment on, each day it should be our goal to get to know him more. Just as we call our parents, talk with our spouses, and hangout with our friends, we should also spend time getting to know God. At St. Julie’s we will work together in this effort. As a church community it is imperative that we help each other to grow and form that relationship with God through all stages of life. Together we will grow, together we will come to know Christ like we know each other. I look forward to our life-long journey together.

God Bless,

Nathan M. Roy