Greetings on this the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle
Readings: Acts 22:3-16; PS 117:1bc, 2; Mk 16:15-18
Notes
Saul’s conversion is an amazing example of the divine power to change people, with their permission, into a person dedicated to the wellbeing of the human family and to experience the Divine’s love for each of us. Ananias too, for his part, putting aside the known facts and relying upon the hope of conversion for this man whom he would have every reason to hate.
Ananias and Paul went on to continue the saving work of the Christ. Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. They will pick up serpents with their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” These miraculous examples are not absolute and specific gifts given to every believer but symbolic of every divine aid that the Lord provides to every believer.
Summary
Living a life of hope is a powerful lifestyle that requires the divine aid to maintain such a view of the world. Even in these miseries, God is present and working to reconcile and repair.
Reflection
Today two different publications came to me I wish to share.
Broken Society – Oppression and Powerlessness
- CAN THE OPPRESSED LIVE WITH THE OPPRESSORS HAPPILY? A thought provoking section of the book by HEALTHY MIND CLINIC LONDON respected
Resources: https://mind55555.com/
Resource: http://mind55555.com/2024/01/25/can-the-oppressed-live-with-the-oppressors-happily/
- Video of Unjust Detainment and Arrest (spanish)
JUSTICE FOR VIRGILIO
Sign our petition here to free Virgilio, a victim of police brutality: http://bit.ly/FreeVirgilio
Resource: https://www.guatemalanmaya.org/
Resource: https://youtu.be/uh7eyvJZ_aY?si=Z69yJyGiAtb1gqTH
Personal Reflection
Ananias is the hero of today’s readings. Why? Because he thought past the abuse and the real and imminent danger that Saul represented. Instead he trusted the Lord and engaged who is otherwise an enemy of The Way. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” He answered, “Here I am, Lord.” The Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight and ask at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is there praying, and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him, that he may regain his sight.” But Ananias replied, “Lord, I have heard from many sources about this man, what evil things he has done to your holy ones in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to imprison all who call upon your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go,”
We must always speak up for the oppressed. We must live in the hope of the divine assistance to overcome oppression. For good or ill, whether it is King Herod, Saul, Pontius Pilate, the Sanhedrin, or whomever is the victimizer, we must speak. But speak in hope of the divine aid. Speak in expectation of conversion. Go!
First Reading
A certain Ananias, a devout observer of the law, and highly spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, came to me and stood there and said, ‘Saul, my brother, regain your sight.’ And at that very moment I regained my sight and saw him. Then he said, ‘The God of our ancestors designated you to know his will, to see the Righteous One, and to hear the sound of his voice; for you will be his witness before all to what you have seen and heard. Now, why delay? Get up and have yourself baptized and your sins washed away, calling upon his name.'”
Responsorial
Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.
Gospel Acclamation
I chose you from the world,To go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord.
Gospel
The Commissioning of the Eleven.
Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.
These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. They will pick up serpents with their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry