conversion

Acts 9:1-20; Psalm 117 Go out to all the world and tell the Good News; John 6:52-59

Today we read the conversion story of St. Paul tied together with the Bread of Life discourse of John 6.

Wouldn't it be great if conversion were as simple as units of measurements?

As we read the conversion story of St. Paul there are few things that stand out.

1)Paul was "breathing murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord. He was not a friendly as they might say in the military. He was an enemy, a vicious zealous one at that. He knew what he wanted and how to go about getting it done. No Christian was going to be left standing in his wake, for he wanted to drag them all "back to Jerusalem in chains.'

2)The conversion took place with God's initiative. God acts from without to bring about a conversion,a change from within. It was a light that struck him. God always comes in brightness, in light.

3)The conversion was not immediate. It took a few days. It was not an isolated event. Paul was invited to go to be with the disciples. The individual conversion is always a communal reality. One is converted not for his own sake and not simply on his own but always in communion with those who believe.

4)Ananias, a disciple wasn't thrilled about helping Saul. He was ready to write him saul off as an enemy and be done with him. He questioned God but heeded God as well. Often we will write people off, yet we must remember the strength of God is greater than our own.

5)The conversion of Saul also brought about a deeper conversion for Ananias. He was led into a deeper insight into the ways of God through the experience with Saul.

How often have we resisted the possibility of grace working in the lives of those we consider not worthy of it? How often have we recognized scoundrels in our society and question the authenticity of their conversion? How often have we thought to ourselves, how dare God?

Yet when in doubt of the ability of God to work in the lives of others, all we have to do is look in the mirror and be awe of how God chooses to work in us. If we can have a conversion then anyone can have a conversion, let us not forget.

When we think about Saul and we look to the Eucharist there is a statement of reality awaiting: If Jesus can awaken Saul to a new life, if he can awaken us to new life, can he not make the Eucharist the bread of life for all.