Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Paul’s Conversion
Dear Friends,
Please read about St. Paul’s conversion from Acts 9:1-19a:
Now Saul, still breathing murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, that, if he should find any men or women who belonged to the Way, he might bring them back to Jerusalem in chains. On his journey, as he was nearing Damascus, a light from the sky suddenly flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” He said, “Who are you, sir?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, for they heard the voice but could see no one. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him to Damascus. For three days he was unable to see, and he neither ate nor drank. There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” He answered, “Here I am, Lord.” The Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight and ask at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is there praying, and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him, that he may regain his sight.” But Ananias replied, “Lord, I have heard from many sources about this man, what evil things he has done to your holy ones in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to imprison all who call upon your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for this man is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before Gentiles, kings, and Israelites, and I will show him what he will have to suffer for my name.” So Ananias went and entered the house; laying his hands on him, he said, “Saul, my brother, the Lord has sent me, Jesus who appeared to you on the way by which you came, that you may regain your sight and be filled with the holy Spirit.” Immediately things like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight. He got up and was baptized, and when he had eaten, he recovered his strength.
(Below you will find the message of Our Lord and Redeemer given to Father Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words:)
Rejoice, My brother Melvin and all My brothers and sisters living in every country of the world. Come and join the feast of the conversion and baptism of My great Apostle, St. Paul. Before his conversion, he did not believe in Me but instead he tried to destroy My Church. However, when he was on his way to Damascus, I knocked him down and I gave him a very special grace and he was converted. He was baptized and became My great Apostle. He traveled throughout the known world preaching the Good News I had given to the Church. At the end he died in Rome a martyr’s death. He is a great saint now in heaven.
I call you all to love St. Paul and to read the many letters he has written. He was inspired to write all these and all he wrote is the truth. As he was a follower of Mine, I call you to believe in Me like St. Paul and do not be afraid to show the people that you love Me and that you believe in Me wholeheartedly. St. Paul is a great example for you. I love you.
Father Melvin