In His Footsteps – A Storyteller’s Journey

In His Footsteps – A Storyteller’s Journey

by Ian Mascarenhas (from July 1995)

   Jesus used stories or parables to share the message of God.  In my faith journey I have learned many things from Scriptural and other stories.

   I have been through some years of journalism training that involved storytelling.  Journalism wasn’t as exciting as I had expected and storytelling didn’t become important to me until spirituality was a part of it.

   I started hearing stories with a spiritual message when I joined a Catholic young adult group.  Through the witnessing of faith from many people, I realized each person’s story taught me something (sometimes many things) about God.

   Then it went beyond having to be there hear someone speak.  There were messages to be shared through books and tapes.  The blessings and power of God were awesome in the lives of many.  I just had to be willing to pay attention to those sharings.

   Although I had never been one to read much as a child, God was making me realize the great value in someone’s story.  It could be one sentence or phrase from a whole book or tape, but if it sparks an idea the benefit of letting it bloom can be phenomenal.

   The times that I have been blessed to be a Catechist/team-teacher in a high school Religious Education class touched my life.  I know that by sharing modern stories students relate better to God.

   Spiritual stories can come from many sources.  Observing nature, listening to music, watching a child, troubleshooting a circuit board, … -- the sources are limitless with God.

   The only limit to God sharing those messages with me, is me.  If I refuse to let God teach me, then I am the one who loses out on the benefits of that relationship.

   Jesus offers many examples to us that were part of Hs ministry.  Storytelling is one that I have latched onto.  Yours could be healing, teaching, religious life, counseling, missionary work, or one of many other choices.

   Any of us who is a disciple of Jesus will eventually be asked, “How did you follow in His footsteps?”

   What will your answer be?