Let us meditate on the conversion of St Paul. It was an
extra ordinary event, when Jesus intervened, breaking through his ideologies
and prejudices against Christians, and restoring him to a new life of faith in
Jesus Christ. He became blind to old ways, staying three days without sight. It
was as if he died with Christ but on the third day his sight was restored for the
new life in Jesus Christ. St Paul’s experience was both a conversion and a
commission for the mission to the Gentiles. On behalf of the Church, Ananias
led hands on him saying, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on
the road by which you came, has sent me that you may regain your sight and be
filled with the Holy Spirit.”
The words of Ananias and how the Christian community welcomed
him in the name of Jesus Christ, made St Paul to realize that the Christian faith
was not an imposition on their Jewish culture or on any culture; Christianity does
not drag authority and relevance with any other religion and culture. It is
about OBEDIENCE OF FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST (Rm 1:4-5). Despite knowing Saul to be
a persecutor of the Church, at the prompting of the Holy Spirit, they responded
to him and welcomed him with love.
That hidden power that enables a believer to act in the
name of Jesus and under the prompting of the Holy Spirit comes from communion
with Jesus through the word of God, the Eucharist and regular prayers. This is
the Christian life in action; it is gentle but firm, hidden but overshadowing,
patient but never passive, silent but speaks truth. That is why Jesus reminded
us again today, saying, “Truly, truly I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of
the Son of man and drink His blood, you have no life in you; he who eats my
flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last
day…He who eats me will live because of me.” Hence, the believer responds with
obedience of faith over and above his natural inclinations and personal
ideologies. This is how he survives every persecution and overcomes every trial.
That is why persecuting Christians as Saul did is always a lost battle since
the Christian faith has life in itself, and is never against anyone. Amen.
Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.
Friday April 28, 2023.
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