Friday, 8th Week of Ordinary Time

Acts 9:1-9

And so “Saul” the Church’s most feared persecutor became “Paul” the apostle who brought the Good News to the Gentile nations.

“If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless” wrote Paul to the Philippians (Phil. 3:4-6). As he hunted down followers of Jesus Christ, Saul’s motives were as pure as the driven snow. He wasn’t acting for financial gain, or out of any desire to cause hurt. He truly believed that he was doing the will of God.

And then, in one literally blinding instant, Saul was forced into a 180° turn. He was absolutely sure that he was on God’s side. But now, to his horror, he realized that he and God were on opposing sides. He believed that he was totally in the right. But now he saw that he was in the wrong.

We all have convictions; beliefs on which we base our lives, like points on a map that help us stay oriented in a confusing world. But what if, in an instant, you realized in one second that your religious convictions or your political philosophy were completely wrong? How would you deal with the shock? Like a soldier in shock, who can’t see, even though the doctor finds nothing wrong with his eyes, Saul was paralyzed, in his body and soul. He had been judged. What way out did he have? The answer on Monday.