Paul addressed the people. “And he saith: I am a Jew, born at Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the truth of the law of the fathers, zealous for the law, as also all you are this day: Who persecuted this way unto death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. As the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the ancients: from whom also receiving letters to the brethren, I went to Damascus, that I might bring them bound from thence to Jerusalem to be punished. And it came to pass, as I was going, and drawing nigh to Damascus at midday, that suddenly from heaven there shone round about me a great light: And falling on the ground, I heard a voice saying to me: Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me? And I answered: Who art Thou, Lord? And He said to me: I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest. And they that were with me, saw indeed the light, but they heard not the voice of Him that spoke with me. And I said: What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said to me: Arise, and go to Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things that thou must do. And whereas I did not see for the brightness of that light, being led by the hand by my companions, I came to Damascus. And one Ananias, a man according to the law, having testimony of all the Jews who dwelt there, Coming to me, and standing by me, said to me: Brother Saul, look up. And I the same hour looked upon him. But he said: The God of our fathers hath preordained thee that thou shouldst know His Will, and see the Just One, and shouldst hear the voice from His mouth. For thou shalt be His witness to all men, of those things which thou hast seen and heard. And now why tarriest thou? Rise up, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, invoking His name.”
My dearest beloved brethren, today’s Bible reading is about the conversion of Paul. Paul’s conversion shows how good and how forgiving our Lord Jesus is. This was Saul who because he was in authority, was persecuting Christians, putting them in chains and throwing God’s children in prison, and yet God forgave him and gave him chance to repent and be a true child of God.
I pray Lord to grant us the Grace of forgiveness, and the grace to not hold and keep it in our hearts and minds whenever others hurt or offend us, but for us to forgive them, through the Mighty Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
Our Lord Jesus offered Himself to you and you embraced Him and has all your life been working for the Lord and bringing others close to Him, dear friends of our Lord Jesus.
Our Lord Jesus Christ gives everyone opportunities to change from evil ways of life to doing good according to the WILL of God. The point is that God also gave everyone the free Will and conscience of making his/her own decisions. Therefore accepting or rejecting God’s offer to follow His ways depends on individuals.
On Saul’s way to Damascus where he was heading to, to go and persecute God’s people, the Lord Jesus struck him down with a light and said to Him: “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me?” (Acts 22:7).
Saul listened and accepted to give up his evil ways and followed Christ’s directions and ways.
We are all sinners, but how many times have we had encounters with Jesus through various different ways and at different times, be it through other people, in the Church, or through things that happened in our lives, reminding and calling us to repent and embrace Christ in truth, and yet we give deaf ears to the voice from Heaven?
I pray and beg our Lord to help us avoid persecuting Christ the more and start living virtuous lives today and every day of our lives, through the Mighty Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth I pray. Amen.
Be courageous and fearless in the Lord; for God is with you. You’re blessed; remain blessed!!!
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