THE WORD AND THE FEAST: Conversion of St. Paul
January 25, 2019: Acts 22:3-16; Mark 16; 15-18
The feast of Conversion of St. Paul invites us to reflect on our conversion. Unfortunately, in today's context, the word 'conversion' has more political connotation than spiritual! There are anti-Christian elements in some societies who call us Christians, a cancer! There are those within us who hardly hesitate to call names at our universal communion, citing as cause the scandals that have been unearthed. These are truly difficult times.
But on the contrary, today is a beautiful occasion for us to remind ourselves that conversion is not about numbers, or increasing the fold or sustaining the crowd without losing adherents. Conversion is a personal decision to go towards God, an about-turn (as the Greek word 'metanoia' suggests); it is an absolute choice for God!
Choice for God... because we begin to see the role that God has played in our life and choose to actively acknowledge it; Absolute... because nothing else matters as much as God and God's will do! We are called to conversion... may not be as dramatic as that of St. Paul's, as we read in the first reading today, but however, more demanding! Yes, we are called to daily conversion.
Choice for God... because we begin to see the role that God has played in our life and choose to actively acknowledge it; Absolute... because nothing else matters as much as God and God's will do! We are called to conversion... may not be as dramatic as that of St. Paul's, as we read in the first reading today, but however, more demanding! Yes, we are called to daily conversion.
To be aware, each day and each moment, of those things that take us away from our progress towards God. Nothing - no demonic powers, no distracting languages, no cunning serpents, no poisoning lifestyle, no disparaging scandals - should lead us away from God... we are called to make an absolute choice every day, for God and for God's Word. Not merely in words but by my very life, I am obliged to proclaim God's message. "Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel," reminds me St.Paul (1 Cor 9:16)