Daily Reflection – Jan 25, 2016

Monday 25 January 2016

First Reading: Acts 22:3-16
Responsorial Psalm:
Go out to all the world, and tell the Good News
Psalm 116(117):1-2
Gospel Reading: Mark 16:15-18.
‘Get up’

Today’s Feast: The Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle

Gospel Reading:

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.
These signs will accompany those who believe:
in my name they will drive out demons,
they will speak new languages.
They will pick up serpents with their hands,
and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them.
They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Reflection:

Why delay? (Acts 22:16)

Think of two newlyweds. They may tell their friends about the fireworks that went off when they first met. Perhaps she talks about how she first saw him at a dance and was “knocked off her feet.” Perhaps he tells of how he was so nervous that he barely knew what to say to her. It’s all so exciting, but there is much more to their story than these first impressions. There was a first date, followed by many more dates, phone calls, and long conversations. It took a while before they were ready for marriage.

That progression also applies to St. Paul. As we see in today’s reading, the day he met Jesus was the most unforgettable day of his life. It literally knocked him off his feet! He went from a sworn enemy of Christianity to one of its greatest champions.

Again, it didn’t stop there. Paul had many more encounters with Jesus that we aren’t told about. Some may not have been as dramatic as his first one, but each one was still important in its own right. And with each encounter, his knowledge and love of the Lord grew.

Maybe you had a dramatic conversion experience like Paul’s. Or maybe your “conversion” was more gradual and unfolded over the course of many years. Whatever your situation, know that you are not finished encountering Jesus. He has more to give you. He has more to teach you.

Imagine the marvel that occurs every time you come into his presence, whether in your private prayer, at Adoration, or in the Mass. Jesus Christ, Lord of the universe, comes down from heaven to be present to you—no matter who you are or what you have done or failed to do. He comes to show you his love more deeply. He comes to give you courage and strength to face your challenges. He comes to give you a taste of his peace. And most important, he comes to join you to himself more deeply.

So why delay? Today—and every day—is a perfect opportunity to meet Jesus and be more deeply converted to him.

“Lord, help me to encounter you in a special way today. Fill me with your fire, and give me a new boldness to spread your gospel of peace.”