“God’s Word to All” by Beth DeCristofaro

“God’s Word to All” by Beth DeCristofaro

Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle

'Saul, my brother, regain your sight.' And at that very moment, I regained my sight and saw him. Then (Ananias) said, '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. Now, why delay? Get up and have yourself baptized and your sins washed away, calling upon his name.'" (Acts 22:13-16)

Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them: "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)

Piety

O God, who taught the whole world through the preaching of the blessed Apostle Paul, draw us, we pray, nearer to you through the example of him whose conver—sion we celebrate today, and so make us witnesses to your truth in the world. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.  (Collect from Mass for the Day)

Study

Jesus' Word, by his command to the disciples, is for "the whole world" and "every creature."  Jesus invited even people who persecute those he loved to share in the Gospel.  He knocked some of those off a horse.  Some hear and believe through the deep bedrock of faith modeled by another.  Some of us think in tiny increments and turn again and again – converting over and over – as our spiritual journeying brings us to fuller understanding and relationship with Jesus the Nazorean whom we at times might ignore (but hopefully never persecute)

Throughout sacred history, God placed people in the places in which they would best fulfill God's will.  They grew in stature as they responded to God's call, at times in spite of themselves.  Moses stuttered, Rebekah and Jacob cheated Esau, Thomas questioned, Paul of course persecuted until he saw the light, "Bill W" gave his alcoholism over to God and co-founded AA.  Reading the lives of the saints with all their warts and foibles allows us to hear "go out to the whole world" and share "My Word" in a new perspective.  Yes, God means me, limitations and all.

Action

How can I better go out and spread the Word to God's creatures despite my limitations?  Perhaps those imperfections might be the doorway to someone's heart.  God has already given us people who are close to us. How can I reach out from my relationship with Christ to strengthen my relationships with others giving them the loving support to accept His word?

Illustration:  Life of St Paul, St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Paulsgrove, UK      https://stainedglassartist.wordpress.com/2012/11/21/st-paul-stained-glass-window/