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Bright Light

(1) Acts 22:3–16

Scripture: [Paul said to the people of Jerusalem,] “While I was on my way and approaching Damascus about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone about me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’” (Acts 22:6–7)

Reflection: There are three accounts of Paul’s conversion in the Acts of the Apostles—9:1–19, 22:3–16, 26:2–18—of which two are provided as options for the first reading for this Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul. All three accounts differ in their details. Furthermore, in his own letters Paul mentions some details of his conversion—1 Corinthians 15:9, Galatians 1:13–17—that differ from those in the Acts. The most dramatic retelling of the event is found in the Acts of the Apostles, written by the same person who authored Luke’s Gospel.

In this first option for the first reading, the “great light from heaven” (22:6) indicates God’s presence. The repetition of Saul’s name echoes that of God’s call of Moses, standing before the light of the burning bush. The blindness caused by “the brightness of that light” (22:11) can be understood in two ways: It may be physical, or it may represent Saul’s lack of faith in the Jesus of Nazareth he has been persecuting.

Saul’s companions “saw the light but did not hear the voice of the one who was speaking” (22:9) to him. So, they led him to Ananias in Damascus, who commands, “Brother Saul, regain your sight!” (22:13) And at that moment, Saul is able to see. He gets up and is baptized.

The Lectionary omits the rest of the story, namely, Saul’s trip to Jerusalem, where, while praying in the temple, he falls into a trance and sees Jesus, who tells him to leave the city. The last line illustrates Saul’s mission to the Gentiles. Jesus says, “Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles” (22:21). This latter detail recalls Isaiah’s call in the temple (6:1–13). Just like Jesus has been the light for Saul, so will he be the light for the Gentiles.

This narrative of Saul’s conversion must be approached carefully, because it gives the impression that conversion is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We can conclude that once we have converted to the “Way” (22:4), that is, Christianity, we are finished. However, the contrary is the truth.

Conversion is a lifetime process. The great light continues to flash before us, calling us to further growth and development. For example, the great light of a Bible study group can call us to deeper understanding of the Scriptures. Serving on a parish committee can be a great light that enables us to see the unfounded quality of our criticisms of the group’s work. Embracing stewardship of time, talent, and treasure is often a great light revealing that all is gift from a very gracious God, who wills that we share with others what he has entrusted to us; stewardship serves to illumine our cultural presupposition that we have earned or bought whatever we have.

Meditation: What great light has called you to repeated conversion?

Prayer: God of light, you brightened the world with the resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ, who filled your servant Saul with faith. Shine in our minds and hearts that we may be converted further and serve you ever more faithfully. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Conversion

(2) Acts 9:1–22

Scripture: “For several days [Saul] was with the disciples in Damascus, and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, ‘He is the Son of God.’ Saul became increasingly more powerful and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Messiah” (Acts 9:19–20, 22).

Reflection: The second option for the first reading for the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul is the first of three accounts of his conversion in the Acts of the Apostles: 9:1–19, 22:3–16, 26:2–18. While details differ from one account to the next and from references in Paul’s own letters, the basic idea remains the same, namely, that Saul, who sought to wipe out Christianity, was converted to it and became its most ardent proponent.

As in the other accounts, God’s presence is indicated by a light from heaven. The repetition of Saul’s name echoes that of the call of Moses before the light of the non-consumed burning bush. Saul’s revelation that he has been persecuting Jesus is paralleled with Ananias’ vision that he go to meet Saul at a house on Straight Street. Ananias recounts the rumors about Saul, but obeys after the Lord explains that Saul “is an instrument whom [he] has chosen to bring [his] name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel” (9:15). Jesus explains to Ananias that he will show Saul “how much he must suffer for the sake of [his] name” (9:16).

Ananias finds Saul and tells him that he has been sent to help him regain his sight and “be filled with the Holy Spirit” (9:17), a unique Lukan theme that permeates both Luke’s Gospel and his second volume, the Acts of the Apostles. Once Saul’s sight is restored, he is baptized, takes food, and regains his strength.

Then, he begins to proclaim the very message he set out originally to destroy: Christianity. He goes to the Jewish synagogues and proclaims that Jesus is the Son of God. Furthermore, he declares that Jesus is the Messiah, Hebrew for “Anointed.” In some English translations the Greek word for anointed is used, namely, “Christ.” Those who hear Saul are confounded. Before his conversion he was the instrument of death for those who believed that Jesus was the Son of God and Messiah; now he is proclaiming exactly the opposite.

The Lectionary omits the narrative that explains the results of Saul’s preaching. The Jews begin a plot to kill Saul, so he must escape, being lowered from the Damascus’ city walls in a basket. He goes to Jerusalem, but the disciples there are afraid of him until Barnabas explains how he has been converted. As Saul preaches to the Greeks, they, too, attempt to kill him. So, believers take him to Caesarea and send him off to Tarsus.

In this narrative of Saul’s conversion, Luke establishes the pattern that he will use throughout the rest of his stories about Saul. First he goes to the Jews, and when they reject him, he goes to the Gentiles. In other words, we should never stop proclaiming Jesus, even when we are rejected. If some will not listen, then we move on.

Conversion is turning one-hundred eighty degrees. It is the process of going from one belief to another. It begins with changing our minds; it is followed by changes in our behavior. Saul is a good example. He changes his mind about Jesus. At first, being a devoted Jew, he had attempted to eradicate those who followed Jesus. After his experience of the great light, blindness, and baptism, he changes his mind. Unknown to Saul, he discovers that he has been persecuting Jesus. This change in mind results in change in behavior. He no longer preaches against Jesus and his disciples; now, he declares that Jesus is the Son of God and Messiah.

There is a depth to conversion that can be missed easily by contemporary people. It is not about church hopping until we find one that makes us feel good. It is about a radical change that occurs deep down within us because of an encounter with the Father, the Son, or the Holy Spirit. Through reflection, we discover that the Father protected us from harm in an auto accident; this causes us to see God’s Fatherly care in many more ways. The change in our behavior is witnessed in driving more carefully—eyes on the road, hands on the steering wheel, cell phone turned off.

We may experience the Son while volunteering at the local soup kitchen. A fellow worker or a homeless person makes us aware that as human beings we are brothers and sisters. More volunteering results; we desire to serve Christ in those suffering from natural disasters—tornados, floods, earthquakes—and find ourselves on the ground ministering to those in need.

An idea or thought sits in our consciousness; it may have come from a newspaper, book, or magazine. It may have come from a biblical passage. We are inspired to do something, and we act on the idea. The Holy Spirit has been at work, changing our minds and changing our behaviors. That is deep conversion; that is the conversion that Saul experienced.

Meditation: What recent experience of deep conversion have you had? What change occurred in your mind and in your behavior?

Prayer: God of St. Paul, through Jesus, your servant and your Son, you called the persecutor of your Church to be its greatest defender. Through revelation, you changed his mind about the Messiah and filled him with the Holy Spirit so that he would proclaim Jesus to be your Son. Bring us to deep conversion, that we may imitate Saul, preaching Jesus as your Son and our Messiah. He lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Go!

Mark 16:15–18

Scripture: [Jesus said to the Eleven,] “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation” (Mark 16:15).

Reflection: Mark’s Gospel has three canonical endings, a fact which often comes as a surprise even to avid Bible readers. The original ending occurs at 16:8. At another time, another sentence was added to 16:8, which has come to be known as the shorter ending. At still another time, verses 9 through 20 were added; this is known as the longer ending. Today’s pericope is taken from the longer ending of Mark’s Gospel which seems to be a summary and combination of the endings of Matthew’s Gospel and Luke’s Gospel.

The Lectionary omits the introductory verse to today’s passage: Jesus “appeared to the eleven . . . as they were sitting at the table; and he upbraided them for their lack of faith and stubbornness, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen” (16:14). Then, he told them to go into the whole world and announce the good news to the whole creation.

The passage is chosen for this Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul because, even though he was not one of the eleven, he went into the whole world and proclaimed the good news of salvation. Furthermore, in the churches he established, he baptized and appointed leaders. He cast out demons in the name of Jesus Christ. He handled a deadly snake, and he healed the sick by laying his hands on their heads. In other words, the deeds of Paul recorded in the Acts of the Apostles—and in his own letters—are summarized by the longer ending of Mark’s Gospel.

Like Paul, conversion sends us on our way. We hear the command, “Go!” In a culture that does not like change, conversion is the antidote. Jesus had to reproach the eleven for their unbelief and hardness of heart; in other words, he called them to conversion. He called Saul to conversion. He calls us to conversion.

Go, volunteer to take communion to the sick of your parish and to those in nursing homes. Go, sign up to help with disaster relief. Go, spend a few hours in the local soup kitchen, food pantry, or medical clinic. Go, prepare others for baptism through membership on your parish Rite of Christian Initiation team, or go, prepare parents for the baptism of their children. If others are to hear the good news—Jesus died and God raised him—we have to go to wherever and to whomever we are called by God or led by the Holy Spirit.

Meditation: How has a conversion experience sent you to others?

Prayer: Almighty God, you sent your Son into the world to be its salvation. Once he converted Paul, he sent him to announce the good news to all creation. Give us the guidance of the Holy Spirit that we may know the ministry to which you call us and, then, send us with the gospel that Jesus Christ lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.