HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B. FEAST OF THE CONVERSION OF ST. PAUL (1)

HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B

HOMILY THEME: NEVER GIVE UP ON SINNERS

BY: Fr. Benny Tuazon

HOMILY:

(Mk. 16:15-18)
The Conversion of St. Paul, the Apostle
In the day’s first reading, the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, we have the story of how Paul, known as the executioner of Christians, became a Christian himself and a prolific proclaimer of the words and deeds of Jesus. Known as the “Damascus Experience”, Paul, on his way to another persecution of Christians who belonged to a growing group known as “The Way”, encountered the risen Lord. It resulted to his blindness which was later removed by Ananias.

Paul’s conversion, like many other true and authentic conversions, was not instant. It was the result of many encounters with the members of the Way. The martyrdom of St. Stephen, of which Paul was a witness could have entered and affected his conscience. Stephen, before breathing his last cried, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” Definitely, the name “Jesus” bothered Paul. What about these people who are willing to die for their faith? And he realised it during these journey to Damascus. The risen Lord appeared and appealed to Paul. And the seeds of conversion that were planted in Paul suddenly sprouted and matured. His blindness and three days of fasting sealed his turning from an executioner of Christians to be an apostle for Jesus.

In the Gospel, the Lord Jesus tells His apostles to proclaim the Good News to all creation. It would be wrong to expect people changing and following immediately after having been read and proclaimed the Gospel. It needs more than that. Our witnessing and everyday living the words of Jesus are “conversion seeds” which are just waiting to grow and provide opportunities for people’s conversion. Like Paul, everyone who had encountered a true Christian, had already been implanted with graces which could lead to a Damascus experience once responded to with faith. The work of conversion is a gradual, patient, and faith-full grind. The Spirit is always at work. We compliment it by sowing the seeds.