⏰Friday of the Third Week of Easter (19 April 2024)
πActs 9:1-20; Ps 117:1, 2, (R. Mark 16:15); John 6:52-59
π€"A LIGHT FROM HEAVEN FLASHED ABOUT HIM" (Acts 9:3)
Beloved in Christ, in John 8:12, Jesus says, "I am the Light of the world." The evangelist had earlier informed us that this Light shines in darkness and darkness cannot withstand it (cf. John 1:5). In Matt 4:14-16, this Light brings freedom to those in darkness. All these are represented in the experience of St. Paul at his conversion.
St. Paul was a zealous persecutor of the Christians before the great Light shone on him on his way to Damascus. One good thing about Paul is that he humbled himself and cooperated with that Light.
Do you think, as someone once said, that he was left with no other option? No! Even though Jesus stopped him from persecuting his people and called him to discipleship, his free will was not taken away from him. He could have resisted the change, but he didn't.
He did not look back at the affluence and the prestige he would lose among the Jews if he abandoned the course of leading the war against Christians. He regarded everything as a loss when compared to the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus (Phil 3:8).
Today, many of us will not want to change from our evil ways because of what we think we gain from it. Even some pastors have lost their prophetic voice because of what they may gain. Those ways lead to doom.
Again, some are reluctant to change because they feel that God can not forgive them again. But we must know that there is nothing that is greater than the mercy of God. Listen to the testimony of Paul himself, "... I had been a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a rapid enemy. However, he took mercy on me... and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant" (1 Tim 1:13-14).
Your case shall not be different! May his light enlighten the darkness that tries to overpower you. And as you make an effort to follow him, may his grace and mercy overflow in abundance for you to guide you and protect you. Amen.
Have a luminous and peaceful day. Peace be with you.
http://www.fadajbcezeonwumelu.com/a-light-from-heaven-flashed-about-him-acts-93/
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