There is no better mission than one’s life!

January 25, Thursday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle
Daily readings: Acts 22:3–16, Mark 16:15–18

Today, we recall that day and that precious moment in which St. Paul met the risen Lord on his way to Damascus. The encounter with Jesus changed the entire course of the life of this great missionary to the Gentiles. Paul’s Damascus encounter could be likened to that moment when Moses met God on Mount Horeb through the Burning Bush. It was a moment of mission appointment. Paul received his missionary mandate at that moment through a devout Jewish leader, Ananias.

Acts 22:15 says that the Lord God has appointed Paul (i) to know God’s will; (ii) to see the Righteous One; (iii) to hear God’s voice; and (iv) to bear witness to what he has seen and heard. All that Paul had to do at that moment was receive baptism in order to get rid of his sins by calling on the name of Jesus. After a number of years, this is what Paul remembers of that gracious moment. Thus, a fierce persecutor of Christian faith becomes its hardcore believer and promoter. All seven genuinely authentic letters and the other six letters that are attributed to him bear witness to the fact that Paul bore abundant fruit through his hard labour in the vineyard of the Lord.

The Gospel Reading presents the Markan version of the missionary mandate for the universal mission.  Jesus will not only guarantee salvation but also display signs of power, including the expulsion of demons, speaking in tongues, healing of the sick by laying on hands, protection from harm in handling snakes, and drinking poison. St. Paul fulfilled all these promises. Besides, these signs are reminders that Christian faith is not an idea or philosophy but a way of life that is empowered by God’s spirit. The preachers bring to the world heavenly gifts that are certainly far more visible to the eyes.

Holy Mother Church celebrates the Feast of the Conversion of Paul. A fierce persecutor of the Christians becomes a zealous preacher of Christ. He is an instrument of God’s salvation in the world. He has inspired thousands of holy women and men down the centuries. His Damascus encounter should be considered more of a call narrative with a missionary mandate than a conversion from one religion to another.

Call to Action for Catholic Living: What is it that you learn from St. Paul’s commitment to God’s human-centered mission?