Daily Reflections ...

Today’s Gospel, the Great Commission, is an apt one for today’s Feast Day: The Conversion of St Paul. See, Paul’s conversion is so significant that it has its own feast day.

At the heart of Paul’s conversion is encounter. Saul, as he was originally called, is travelling to Damascus when he is surrounded by a great light, falls to the ground and hears Jesus ask him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”

Saul has committed his whole life to persecuting Christians. He was so relentless in his persecution that one could assume he felt absolutely certain that what he was doing was the right thing, a God-ordained purpose.

And yet, this moment changes everything. His certainty and his life’s cause to do away with those blasphemous Christians, is proven wrong. Jesus is real, he is the Risen Christ and Saul has the most extraordinary encounter with him.

And Paul responds. He puts the same energy he put into persecuting Christians into living out this Great Commission. He shares the Good News of Jesus Christ for the rest of his life.

Paul is such a wonderful example of the complete and utter transformation that can happen in our lives when we encounter Jesus. When we experience Jesus and his profound love and mercy, when we open ourselves to him, we cannot help but be transformed.

Whether we’ve been living our faith for years or are new to our faith, a renewed encounter with Jesus Christ is on offer to all of us (Joy of the Gospel, n.3). Let’s be open to being transformed by encountering Jesus and experiencing his love, grace and mercy anew.

by Teresa McGrath