Friday, January
25, 2002
Conversion of St. Paul
1st
Reading: Acts 22:3-16 or Acts 9:1-22
Gospel: Mk 16:15-18
Jesus
told his disciples, "Go out to the whole world and proclaim the Good
News to all creation. The one who believes and is baptized will be saved;
the one who refuses to believe will be condemned. Signs like these will
accompany those who have believed: in my Name they will cast out demons
and speak new languages; they will pick up snakes and, if they drink anything
poisonous, they will be unharmed. They will lay their hands on the sick
and they will be healed."
Commentary
Passing by Rome I visit both St. Peter's and St. Paul's basilicas. In
the first one I recite the Creed, feeling happy and thankful for being
part of the universal Catholic Church. When in St. Paul's, as a missionary
I feel more at home and my missionary zeal gets recharged. I feel impelled
by St. Paul's example to go to the whole world and announce the good news
to all without fear of possible dangers. My enthusiasm is balanced by
the felt need of constant conversion. St. Paul is a model not just during
his missionary journeys but also during his conversion experience. To
be thrown to the ground from our proud pedestal, to get blind before seeing
right and sharing light to others are steps that every Christian must
experience if s/he wants to bring the gospel to the world.