The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Wednesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
Conversion of St. Paul

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Titus 1:1-5
Psalm 132:1-5, 11-14
Mark 4:21-25

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

God uses just the right amount of persuasion to get our attention. Some of us are harder cases than others and that has been the truth throughout history. Pharaoh of ancient Egypt needed many miracles and disasters to convince him to set God’s chosen people free. Jonah fled great distances and nearly drowned until he heeded the Lord’s all. Samuel mistook the Lord’s calling twice before some sensible council from Eli set him on the right path. Peter and Andrew answered the call easily and freely. Today we learn of Paul’s conversion. He was a particularly tough case and God had to take his sight away to get him to listen!

For many of us, responding to the call does not require God to chase us, inflict us or push us too hard. This may be good, or not so good, depending on how you look at it. The fact is that conversion is a lifelong process happening a little at a time each day, week, month and year. We continue to learn from the scriptures, become more in tune with the Holy Spirit and more able to answer God’s call and do His work. As love between a married couple changes, grows and matures, so it is with our conversion and our love of God and our response to His calling.

- Don Claunch, SFO
(dlclaunch at bresnan dot net)

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