Acts 22:3-16 or Acts 9:1-22
Psalm 117
Mark 16:25-18 Full Readings
From Persecutor to Gospel Proclaimer
Brethren, today we celebrate the feast of the conversion of Saul, the persecutor of the people who followed "The Way." His conversion was not only a turning point for the spreading of the Christian faith all over the Roman Empire but also for the spread of Christianity throughout the whole world. His conversion on the way to Damascus is so significant that it is recounted three times in the Acts of the Apostles. Paul was a tireless missionary and a great theologian, the one who shaped the Christian message, as his letters contained in the New Testament clearly show.
Benedict XVI reflects on the significance of Paul's conversion for the whole Christian people: "Paul's conversion matured in his encounter with the Risen Christ; it was this encounter that radically changed his life. What happened to him on the road to Damascus is what Jesus asks in today's Gospel (whoever believes will be saved and whoever does not believe will be condemned): Saul is converted because, thanks to the divine light, "he has believed in the Gospel". In this consists of his and our conversion: in believing in Jesus dead and risen and in opening to the illumination of his divine grace. In that moment Saul understood that his salvation did not depend on good works fulfilled according to the law, but on the fact that Jesus died also for him the persecutor and has risen. This truth by which every Christian life is enlightened thanks to Baptism completely overturns our way of life. To be converted means, also for each one of us, to believe that Jesus "has given himself for me", dying on the Cross (cf. Galatians 2: 20) and, risen, lives with me and in me. Entrusting myself to the power of his forgiveness, letting myself be taken by his hand, I can come out of the quicksands of pride and sin, of deceit and sadness, of selfishness and of every false security, to know and live the richness of his love." (From address given on January 25, 2009).
The Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul that teaches us that there is no one God cannot use as an instrument for spreading the kingdom of God on earth. It also teaches us that no one can be considered as written-off as long as he or she is still alive because a sinner can change and become a saint. Above all, it shows the power of God at work in each one of us. Saint Paul’s conversion shows this power in his life because out of a persecutor God made a preacher of Christ and teacher to the nations. Hence, Saint Paul continually expresses gratitude to God for this wonderful grace and keeps praying for final perseverance lest having preached to others, he ends up a castaway. May the constant intercession of Saint Paul obtain for us daily true conversion from our old ways and thereby conform to the person of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Brethren, God also wants to use us to proclaim his Gospel to all. What we need is to heed to his call for conversion and repentance so that he can send us to proclaim the good news to all the world. As we see in the Gospel, he commissions us to go the whole world and baptise making disciples in all nations. He gives us power to cast out devils, pick up snakes, drink deadly poison, heal the sick and speak in tongues (figurative language showing that we shall do many wonders when Jesus sends us to his mission). What we need is to be disciples first by conversion and repentance so that we can be sent to convert others as St Paul did.
When the Lord sends us, we must be ready to witness to the gospel as St Paul did after his conversion. He witnessed the gospel by his words, deeds and his way of life. St John Chrysostom (347-407 AD) says: "For [Paul] truly became a witness to [Jesus], and a witness as one should be, both by what he did and by what he said. We too must be such witnesses and not betray what we have been entrusted with. I speak not only of doctrines, but also of our way of life. Look, what he knew, what he heard, he bore witness to this before all, and nothing hindered him. We too have heard that there is a resurrection and ten thousand good things; therefore, we ought to bear witness to this before all." (Excerpt from HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 47).
Reflect today on the example and model of St Paul. Let his example inspire us and encourage us that we have a chance to convert from our evil ways and become proclaimers of the Gospel. Let us be attentive to Jesus' call and pray for the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide our conversion and repentance.
Let us Pray
Lord Jesus, give me the grace daily to repent and accept the Gospel so that I may also become an authentic preacher following the example of St Paul. Amen
Be blessed.
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