The Conversion of Saint Paul, Luca Giordano, 1690, Museum of Fine Arts of Nancy
First reading Acts 22:3-16
‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’
Paul said to the people, ‘I am a Jew and was born at Tarsus in Cilicia. I was brought up here in this city. I studied under Gamaliel and was taught the exact observance of the Law of our ancestors. In fact, I was as full of duty towards God as you are today. I even persecuted this Way to the death, and sent women as well as men to prison in chains as the high priest and the whole council of elders can testify, since they even sent me with letters to their brothers in Damascus. When I set off it was with the intention of bringing prisoners back from there to Jerusalem for punishment.
‘I was on that journey and nearly at Damascus when about midday a bright light from heaven suddenly shone round me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” I answered: Who are you, Lord? and he said to me, “I am Jesus the Nazarene, and you are persecuting me.” The people with me saw the light but did not hear his voice as he spoke to me. I said: What am I to do, Lord? The Lord answered, “Stand up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told what you have been appointed to do.” The light had been so dazzling that I was blind and my companions had to take me by the hand; and so I came to Damascus.
‘Someone called Ananias, a devout follower of the Law and highly thought of by all the Jews living there, came to see me; he stood beside me and said, “Brother Saul, receive your sight.” Instantly my sight came back and I was able to see him. Then he said, “The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will, to see the Just One and hear his own voice speaking, because you are to be his witness before all mankind, testifying to what you have seen and heard. And now why delay? It is time you were baptised and had your sins washed away while invoking his name.”’
Responsorial Psalm 116(117)
Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News.
or
Alleluia!
O praise the Lord, all you nations,
acclaim him all you peoples!
Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News.
or
Alleluia!
Strong is his love for us;
he is faithful for ever.
Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News.
or
Alleluia!
Gospel Mark 16:15-18
Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News
Jesus showed himself to the Eleven and said to them:
‘Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation. He who believes and is baptised will be saved; he who does not believe will be condemned. These are the signs that will be associated with believers: in my name they will cast out devils; they will have the gift of tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and be unharmed should they drink deadly poison; they will lay their hands on the sick, who will recover.’
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Loved and forgiven
Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, the apostle to the gentiles. As we read in the first reading, his conversion happened after encountering the Resurrected Jesus on the road to Damascus. He was heading towards the city, intending to persecute the early Christians. Instead, that personal encounter with Jesus’ merciful love moved Paul to allow the Risen Lord to live in him and work through him.
What does the conversion of Paul have to do with us? “We are all sinners. But God heals us with an abundance of grace, mercy and tenderness” (Pope Francis, 2013). None of us is perfect. If Jesus could touch Paul’s life and lead him to the path of conversion, we too, though sinners, are invited to walk this same path of transformation and experience ourselves loved and forgiven by God. Let us strive to renew our relationship with God and allow Him to live in us and work through us.
Question for reflection:
What is the significance of St. Paul’s conversion for me?
What is the significance of St. Paul’s conversion for me?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year C” by Sr. Sandra Seow FMVD.
