Homily (Reflection) for the Feast of
the Conversion of Saint Paul, Ap (25th January, 2019) on the Gospel
and the Feast
Acts 22:3-16 or Acts 9:1-22;
Ps 116:1-2. (R. Mk 16:15);
Mk 16:15-18.
Topic: Your destiny is in your hands.
In today’s gospel, Jesus commissioned His disciples with
these words: “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole
creation. The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; but the one who
does not believe will be condemned” (Mk
16:15-16). The gospel also tells us the signs that will accompany the
believers.
We celebrate today the conversion of the apostle to the
Gentiles, Saint Paul, cf. Rom 11:13;
Eph 3:8; Gal 2:9. Before his
conversion, Saint Paul persecuted the faith he later professed more than any
other apostle, cf. Acts 11:23; 22:4;
1Cor 15:9; Gal 1:13. His dramatic
conversion took place on his way to Damascus with authority from the chief
priests to bring any follower of Christ he might see to Jerusalem for
punishment, cf. Acts 9:1-2, 13-14;
22:4-5.
On his conversion he immediately inquired of what is expected
of him in these words: “What shall I do, Lord?” (Acts 22:10). And in like manner, we ought to have asked and to be
made known what to do when we were born-again, cf. Jn 3:5; Lk 3:10-14.
Christ has abolished death and brought life and immortality to
light through the gospel, cf. 2Tim 1:10.
Many still refuse to come to Jesus to have life, cf. Jn 5:40. And there lies the condemnation. Hence Saint Paul writes
in his second letter to the Thessalonians: “so that all may be condemned who
did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (2Thess 2:12).
Dear friends, remember that you belong to “a chosen race, a
royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, that you may declare the
wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light”
(1Pt 2:9). It is in your hands to be
a saint or a sinner. You too can make it. Let us move on.
Bible Reading: Lk 3:1-20.
Thought for today: Refusing to repent is a refusal to life.
Let us pray: Lord, help us to follow the example
of Saint Paul in abandoning our old ways and live entirely for you – Amen.
Saint Paul – Pray for us.
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others if you consider it worthy.
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