| Feast of the Conversion of Saint
Paul, Apostle
Acts 22:3-16 Psalm 117:1bc, 2 Mark 16:15-18 QUEST FOR CONVERSION!!! Why was Paul converted by Jesus? Paul was persecuting people of "The Way," the early Christian community. Surely it would have been easier for the Jews and Gentiles if someone other than Paul was chosen to be a Disciple. Of course, we don't know the mind of God. I think it must have had a profound effect on the Community to have a Paul, who was totally against Jesus and the Community, preaching Jesus' message of God's love and power. It was a testament to God's power. It is a great mystery. Think for a moment. When was your last conversion? Was it about a belief you have long held or a behavior that needed to be changed? Did you fall off a horse? Were you blinded? Conversion happens to each of us. We just have to be open to God's love. Most often it is a new way of looking at something, or an insight, or an event that causes reflection. I remember recently that I held a pet peeve dearly. One day a friend suggested I could look at it another way. This new perspective is helping me let go of an angst. Letting go is a process and happens with grace and time. Why do we have conversions? One surety is that they change our lives for the better. Another is that it will show the power and mystery of God's love. I doubt a true conversion of mind and heart is just for ourselves. In Mark's gospel we hear "go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature." Conversions are meant to be shared, maybe by word, surely by example. God's love shines through our conversions. Reflect on 2002: what was a conversion you experienced and
how has it changed you?
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