The conversion of Saul is epic, even by biblical standards. Here is a man breathing murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord, one who even asked the high priests for letters to the synagogues in Damascus … so that, if he should find any men or women who belonged to the Way, he might bring them back to Jerusalem in chains … based on his … authority from the chief priests to imprison all who call upon your name.

And then, on the road to Damascus, his life, and ours, change. Jesus confronts him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” Saul of Tarsus converts to Christianity and becomes the Apostle Paul who is God’s chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before Gentiles, kings, and children of Israel.

There are very few of us who can share a story of conversion like Paul’s. From someone who hated Christians to one of the most important people in the history of the church. Most of us were fortunate that because of our parents we were baptized as infants into the Church, schooled in religious education from a young age, confirmed, and received the Holy Eucharist.  Ours was not an arduous journey such as Saul’s.

But has our easy path to becoming a Christian diminished what it means to be a child of God? Are we satisfied with just saying our daily prayers, attending Mass on Sunday and dropping an envelope in the basket when it is passed by? Have we allowed scales to form over our eyes to the point that we cannot see what God expects of us? As St. Ignatius Loyola would say, “The Magis, The More.”

Ignatian Spirituality tells us that we should strive to be conducive to the greater service of God and the universal good. It is worth noting the goal is that our service is for the glory of God … not for our own self-promotion. Thus, the motto often seen on Jesuit publications and websites, Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam: For the Greater Glory of God.

As we go about our Daily Examen of Conscience today, let’s pray for the grace to understand how God is acting in our lives. Is God urging me toward the Magis but the scales over my eyes are preventing me from seeing what God wants from me? Are we seeing God in all things, and are we grateful for his constant presence, or are we weekend Catholics who only look for God in church on Sunday?

Maybe we, too, can have Saul-like conversion in how we dedicate our lives going forward, if we just open our eyes to the wonderful world God has made for us and are open to his love and forgiveness so we can be conducive to the greater service of God and the universal good.