Friday Of The Third Week Of Eastertide

Acts 9:1-20
Ps. 116(117)
John 6:52-59

TRUE CONVERSION DISPOSES US TO RECEIVE GRACES FROM ABOVE

In his homily on the conversion of Saint Paul, delivered at the close of the Week for Christian Unity in January 2016, Pope Francis proclaims an awe-inspiring truth: “At this moment, Paul realizes there is a profound and transcendent union between the eternally living Christ and His followers: Jesus lives within them, and they, in turn, are alive in Him! The call to be an apostle is born not from Paul’s human achievements—he views himself as “unfit” and “unworthy”—but from the boundless goodness of God, who chose him and entrusted him with a monumental mission.”

Imagine it: the fierce persecutor transformed into a passionate preacher, the rigid Pharisee morphing into a devoted servant of Christ! The Jew who once shunned Gentiles becomes their beacon of hope. A former threat now champions the message of love and redemption. This radical conversion lies at the very heart of the Christian experience! Paul, once determined to extinguish the flames of faith, now dedicates his fervor to defending the Christian Way, ready to embrace imprisonment, suffering, and even death—all to spread the Word and herald the Good News to the far corners of creation!

Paul’s life-altering encounter on the road to Damascus serves as a powerful reminder that conversion isn’t solely for sinners. Even those deemed righteous must heed Jesus’ call to repentance and reevaluate their convictions. A true Christian is always “on the road”! Just as Saul was once guilty of persecuting God’s people, so too might we unknowingly contribute to disunity within His church. Are we causing division within the Body of Christ? If we perpetrate violence and injustice in the name of religion, could it be that we’re persecuting Christ Himself?

As we ponder these questions, let’s ask ourselves: Are we ready to endure trials as a testament of our conversion to Jesus? How can we boldly showcase our commitment to the cause of the Lord? What actions can we take to guide others facing the monumental decision to embrace the Lord Jesus, even at the risk of rejection or persecution?

In his First Letter to Timothy, St. Paul passionately reflects on his transformative moment: “I thank Him who has given me strength—Christ Jesus our Lord—because He deemed me faithful, appointing me to His service. Despite my past of blasphemy and persecution, I received mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed within me, filling me with faith and love in Christ Jesus” (1:12-14).

For Paul, Christ became the very heartbeat of his theology; he was redeemed by the risen Christ! Paul fearlessly preached the message of the crucified and risen Savior. Throughout his Letters, he lists the magnificent spiritual blessings that accompany a conversion to Jesus! He shares, “For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not lose its power. The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the unmistakable power of God!” (1 Cor. 1:17-18).

Today, the Lord Jesus continues to beckon us to believe and trust in Him! He is the Bread of Life! May He cast His peaceful light from the heavens to dispel the shadows of uncertainty and doubt plaguing our world. Let His divine voice drown out all distractions! May God remove the scales from our eyes so we may behold the glory of God in our church, our nation, and the world! He has come to save us, inviting us to draw life from Him. May He deliver us from all evil, empower us in our witness, and inspire us to testify in truth and spirit!

Fr Joseph Osho