January 25, 2024

The Conversion of Saint Paul

The story of Saint Paul is the story of God's love being poured into his heart. Saul persecuted the Church without mercy.

When Jesus came to Saul, from the sky, a light flashed around him. Jesus said, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" Saul asked who was speaking and the voice said, "I am Jesus, the Nazorean, whom you are persecuting." Saul knew that Jesus had died yet Jesus was speaking to him. Saul was persecuting His followers.

In an instant, Saul was forever changed. Immediately, upon hearing the voice, Saul could not see because He was blinded by the light. His friends led him and he could not see for three days. Then the Lord sent Ananias to lay hands on Saul. He regained his sight and was baptized. The Lord gave Saul three days of blindness as He worked on Saul's heart. Saul was transformed into Saint Paul because Jesus showered him with His love and mercy. Saul was the chosen instrument of Jesus.

Acts 9:15-19  "But the Lord said to him, “Go, for this man is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before Gentiles, kings, and children of Israel, and I will show him what he will have to suffer for my name.” So Ananias went and entered the house; laying his hands on him, he said, “Saul, my brother, the Lord has sent me, Jesus who appeared to you on the way by which you came, that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”  Immediately things like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight. He got up and was baptized, and when he had eaten, he recovered his strength."

Saul had an encounter with Jesus and Jesus desires to have an encounter with you too. He has a plan for your life and it is good. 

When you encounter Jesus, you are always changed.  You encounter Jesus in the Sacraments of the Catholic Church, in Reconciliation and in the Eucharist. You encounter Jesus in the Holy Mass and Eucharistic adoration. You encounter Jesus in the Word of God, the Holy Scriptures. Jesus is waiting for you. Turn to Him and you will have an encounter with Him.

Today there is much darkness in the world. More and more, we will be called to stand up and speak the truth with love and courage. Jesus is the Way and the Truth and the Life. He shines light and scatters the darkness. Jesus gives us the Bread of Life, the Eucharist, to strengthen, heal and nourish us. 

Have you been praying for a soul who is far away from the Lord? Have you ever been filled with fear?  Have you been in a situation where you have lost hope or felt despair?  Have you ever felt like you were in darkness and there was no way out?  

Imagine how afraid Ananias felt when the Lord sent him to Saul. When you are asked to do something difficult, do not be afraid. The Lord will be with you. Turn to Him and He will lead you. Whatever Jesus calls you to do, He will equip you with what you need in order to do it or He will send people to help you.

Never give up praying for the conversion of a soul. Jesus has entrusted that soul to you. 

Jesus hears your prayers and He knows just the right moment to enter and touch the heart of that soul. Divine Mercy in the soul is a great miracle. God can take all of our sins of the past, all our failures, all our faults and transform them and change us into something beautiful for Him.

I am the little brush that Jesus has chosen in order to paint His own image in the souls entrusted to my care. Saint Therese of Lisieux

Jesus made known to Saint Faustina His desire for us to pray and meditate on His Passion at the Hour of Mercy 3:00 pm, the time of His death on the Cross. He told her at that hour, “Mercy is opened wide for every soul.”

Between Me and you there is a bottomless abyss, an abyss which separates the Creator from the creature. But this abyss is filled with My mercy. Diary of Saint Faustina 1576

Opening Prayers to the Chaplet of Divine Mercy:

You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us.  O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fountain of Mercy for us, I trust in You! 

You are God's chosen instrument, just as Saint Paul. In the darkness of the world today, you will be called to stand up and speak the truth, to be God's witness. 

Jesus will entrust souls to you, souls He wants you to pray for. Offer prayers, fast and make sacrifices for the person you are praying for. Never give up praying for the conversion of a soul. Jesus has entrusted that soul to you and He hears all your prayers.

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