‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ I replied, ‘Who are you, sir?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus the Nazorean whom you are persecuting.’ (Acts 22: 7 - 9).
The Church celebrates today the feast of St Paul the Apostle. Paul who is also evangelist and missionary was chosen and appointed by Jesus Christ Himself to exercise a great influence in the very early Church. His journey to Damascus in his blind zeal to persecute the followers of Jesus was rudely interrupted by the Lord.
"What shall I do, sir?’ The Lord answered me, ‘Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told about everything appointed for you to do." (Acts 22: 10).
The compassion and gentleness of Jesus in the above scene is disarming. A conqueror helping the conquered on the ground to his feet. Note that this is always God's merciful attitude to the sinner.
"Saul, my brother, regain your sight.’ And at that very moment I regained my sight and saw him." (Acts 22: 13).
Paul was overwhelmed by loving mercy coming to him from Jesus, Ananias and the brethren.
Now Paul is ready to receive his mandate:
"The God of our ancestors designated you to know his will, to see the Righteous One, and to hear the sound of his voice; for you will be his witness before all to what you have seen and heard." (Acts 22: 14 - 15).
It does not end there. Every follower of Jesus must be involved in the worldwide evangelization:
“Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned." (Mark 16: 15 - 16).
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