BROADCASTS.com

(Acts 22:3-16 or Acts 9:1-22;\xa0\xa0 Ps.117:1-2,Mk.16:15;\xa0\xa0 Mk.16:15-18) \xa0 \u201cGo into the whole world and proclaim the good news to all creation.\u201d \xa0 One would not have expected these words to be spoken so profoundly to the heart of St. Paul.\xa0 For he, then known as Saul, had spent such time and with such vigor had persecuted the followers of Christ.\xa0 Why does the Lord shine His light all about him?\xa0 Why does He speak to him and reveal Himself to him?\xa0 Why is it this man who is picked to bring the Name of Jesus to all the nations?\xa0 Perhaps it was his very vigor in persecuting His followers Jesus admired.\xa0 Perhaps his sincerity and commitment to this cause in the name of God He knew He could use for the cause of justice and right.\xa0 Perhaps he is a sign to us all that none is beyond the redemption the Lord offers.\xa0 We know only that he who was persecuting the Church now works to build it up.\xa0 We know only the story of this great Apostle to the world. \u201cRecover your sight,\u201d Ananias says to this Saul, and so Paul, once blinded by the light of the Lord, now has his eyes open to see.\xa0 So he who once went about with scales on his eyes, he whose vision was once so prevented from realizing the truth of the Jesus in his midst\u2026 he who was once so like his brother Pharisees, now sees.\xa0 And what he sees is not simply Ananias standing before him.\xa0 What he sees standing before him in this faithful disciple of Jesus, is Christ Himself.\xa0 And he realizes whom he has been persecuting, and repents.\xa0 And so he is baptized.\xa0 And so his mission, one wrought in the suffering of Christ, begins. \u201cPraise the Lord, all you nations; glorify Him, all you peoples!\u201d are the words of our psalmist, but they could as easily be the exhortation of the Apostle Paul.\xa0 Having himself believed in the Good News proclaimed to all creation and accepted Baptism into its way, he himself now brings so many others to walk along the same path.\xa0 Great signs accompany him, and his words to our ears are as those of Jesus to him, for now he is such a strong part of the Body of Christ, persecuted by this world and calling it to salvation.\xa0 On this day all our hearts should turn to the Lord, that we might join Paul and profess our faith in His Name. Written, read & chanted by James Kurt; produced by Carie Fortney. Music by Carie Fortney; used by permission. ******* O LORD, help us to believe and so turn to your Son to be saved. YHWH, let all men turn to you as has your great Apostle.\xa0 Reveal yourself to the eyes and ears of all souls who seek God, all who are zealous for the truth.\xa0 Why should we continue so blind?\xa0 Let all be baptized into the way of your Son and so be blessed with His power and His love. Let us not be afraid to lay down our lives for you, O LORD. Let us not turn away from what we must suffer for your Name and that of your Son.\xa0 In this we should find our joy; proclaiming the Gospel to all Creation should be the food that sustains us.\xa0 Let us be the sign of your presence in this world. Lay your hands upon us, LORD, that we might be healed.\xa0 Send your disciples to us to teach us of your way and your truth.\xa0 Let us enter into that way with them and declare to all that Jesus is the Messiah and in Him all souls are saved and brought to light.