Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle
I spent tonight reflecting on the sacrament of reconciliation with my son, as he prepares to make his first reconciliation. On the drive home, we talked a lot about the prodigal son and how no person is bad, but people do make bad choices. And how even when we have made bad choices, God can still forgive us and use us for good.
As I reflect on the story of Saul and his conversion into Paul I am reminded of this conversation with my son. Saul, who had persecuted and killed Christians was still able to be transformed by Christ and his love. While it took the Lord knocking him off of his horse and momentarily blinding him in order for him to see the light of Christ, this story is proof that no one is too sinful for God’s forgiveness. And the fruit of this forgiveness is conversion - a conversion that transforms the world.
Similarly, in the gospel reading, the 11 disciples are told to go out into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. These 11 had been faithful disciples of Christ and are told to take this message and to spread it to the ends of the Earth - to likewise transform the world. While Paul and the disciples came to believe and understand God in very different ways, both were able to spread Christ’s word and transform the world.
I think we are called to look at the juxtaposition of these two stories and realize that all of us, no matter our past, can transform the world and bring others to God’s goodness. Through the sacrament of reconciliation, we are able to seek forgiveness for our sins and become a new creation. It is in our gratitude for Christ’s faithfulness and forgiveness that we can truly bring about conversion and transform the world.
- AJ Grimm