Greetings on this the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle
Readings: Acts 22:3-16; Psalm 117:1bc, 2; Mark 16:15-18
Meeting Jesus
Today’s gospel portion is the Conversion of Saint Paul. Paul prayed and preyed (request, devour). Who was he listening to? What was guiding him?
Today is one month since Jesus was born. How has meeting Jesus at Christmas changed your life?
In the name of God, Saul was a busy boy:
- persecuted this Way to death.
- binding both men and women and delivering them to prison.
- bring back to Jerusalem in chains for punishment those there as well.
- breathing murderous threats.
- he was there praying.
All the while he was most sure that he was zealous for and praying to God.
Bears repeating: At the feet of Gamaliel I was educated strictly in our ancestral law and was zealous for God, just as all of you are today.
We might want to take a step back.
Holy Intercessors
There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias, and 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.”
A holy man given an assignment filled with danger… 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.”
So Ananias obeyed the Lord and went to see this despicable man Saul. Even to call him brother.
Intercessors in Haiti
So Ananias went and entered the house; laying his hands on him, he said, “Saul, my brother, the Lord has sent me, Jesus who appeared to you on the way by which you came, that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Because of the hope we have in Jesus.
Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.
What is it we pray for?
Saul had one prayer. After conversion, Paul had a different prayer. The second prayer was superior. But Saul grew all the stronger and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.
It can be said we often tell God what we want, how God is to provide it and when we expect it. You know, like Saul. But once we decide to LISTEN instead, its a whole other story.
Instead, we are asked to give what will help others, provide what is missing and expect only the benefit of the divine love for us and our peoples. Maybe we have to stop telling God what we want and listen to what he offers.
Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012525.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
Sometimes we are hard headed, and he has to get our attention. I know that I can be that way. Thank you.
Excellent! Me too! The deepest theological point is if we aren’t listening to the Lord, we are murderers. As strong as that sounds that is the Temptation in the Garden. God or murder as if god.
I can understand that. Because every sin we do is one more strip, one more mark and pain that he felt on the way to and on the cross.
Yes! Thank God for mercy.
Its really hard indeed .
I like the title and you are really onto something with this post.