surpised

Acts 22:3-16; Acts 9:1-22; Psalm 117 Go out to all the world and tell the Good News; Mark 16:15-18

The feast of the conversion of St. Paul

Today we celebrate the reality of God reaching into the human heart and changing it forever.

As we encounter the conversion of St. Paul we encounter the desire of God for all. He wants to change us, convert us, open our eyes.

God wants our heart to be transformed.

There are two things to note about the conversion of St. Paul.

One: this conversion was initiated by God. All conversion is initiated by God in God's time. We should pray and work for all but also be patient with God. In his time, man's heart is ultimately awakened to the reality of God's presence and God's call.

As we pray for those around us, in our families or in our circle of friends, we must learn to be patient with God and this will give us strength and teach us endurance.

Secondly: St. PAul was a man who was hateful toward christians. He was constant in arresting them and punishing them for their beliefs. Yet, despite is character and zeal against the Christians God chooses him to be the champion of the Christian way and lifestyle.

God chooses the most hateful to become the most capable of preachers and teachers of the faith.

As you read the conversion accounts you discover that the people, especially the Christians, were surprised by this reality.

In fact, creating space in our life to be surprised by God, is necessary for a life of faith. Unless we are willing to be surprised by God we will never be able to experience the true depth of faith or enter fully into a genuine relationship with God in Christ.

We have to be willing to be surprised. We must learn not only to like surprises but begin to anticipate them with great joy.

In the same way we must also let God use us to surprise others. We must be willing to let God use us as his instruments to surprise others with the touch of glory and joy that comes in living our faith.

Here is a life of conversion: to be surprise by joy, to surprise others with the joy of God's presence and God's call in Christ.

(Above is the beheading of St. Paul by Algardi. A reminder that conversion is never just a one day thing, but a life lived in faith and a willingness to die for life.)