January 25, 2021 Monday of the 3rd Week in Ordinary Time-B THE CONVERSION OF ST. PAUL, APOSTLE

Acts of the Apostles 22:3-16 or 9:1-22

Psalm 117

1 Corinthians 7:29-31

Mark 16:15-18

“What shall I do, sir?”  Acts 22:10

“Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”  Mark 16:15

Lord, what did you see in this zealous persecutor of the Way that you chose him to be the greatest missionary and theologian of your church? Were you forming him for his mission from his early days as a Pharisee and strict observer of the Law? It’s amazing how we can be guided along a path to perform God’s will and not even know it. You turned his zeal for the law into zeal for you. Nothing could stop him from proclaiming your Gospel in very dangerous places to very hostile people. He never gave an inch to those who confronted him and fought with him. After his experience on the road to Damascus he was a changed man. Thank you Lord for giving us the testimony and letters of Paul. May I be as ready to change and accept your call to mission as he was. Lord, this story assures us that your grace can do anything. No one is beyond your reach. I pray for all the new leaders of our nation who seem to be zealous for persecuting Christianity. I ask for your grace to always be faithful to your Way.  Amen.