Monday, January 25, 2021 - Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle - It is I who have chosen you from the midst of the world, so that you go, that you bear fruit, and that your fruit remains, says the Lord - Gospel of Jesus - Christ according to Saint Mark 16, 15-18

By the Word of Jesus and the grace of God, Saul, fervent persecutor of Christians, became Paul, tireless preacher of the Word of God, proclaiming everywhere that Jesus rose from the dead; even saying: "I live, but it is no longer me, it is Christ who lives in me". He was one of those who fully fulfilled Jesus' words in the gospel: "Go into all the world. Proclaim the gospel to all creation." Saint Paul has done a lot to spread the Gospel. On foot, by sea, he laid the foundations of faith wherever he passed, including the Risen Christ; he wrote many letters constituting a part of the New Testament. Because of this, so many people, like Saul, were converted. He accepted Jesus' leadership and truly converted because of what he persecuted and tried to destroy he made the foundation of his life.

Paul deeply felt the love of God for him, which allowed him to invest a great deal in proclaiming the Word of God through many nations. He did not let the many problems he faced in preaching the Good News hinder him: persecution, death threats and countless obstacles. We see here that the Word of Jesus can radically change people; transforming Paul into a zealous preacher who chooses Jesus as the basis of his life, abandoning his old ways of life, which he derived from Jewish laws. Also, the Word of God can change us when we make it the foundation of our life. Not only for the hereafter but by starting in this ephemeral life. It helps us to have a loving heart and soul within our community, it helps to eradicate hatred. May Saint Paul be a model for us to follow Christ and we will be true Christians devoted to the service of our neighbors and of the Church. Amen!