In today’s first reading, Acts 8: 1b-8, Paul, following
Stephen’s death, continues his persecution of Christians and his determination
to destroy the Church. He enters “house after house…dragging out men and women,
[and handing] them over for imprisonment” and most likely death. The Apostles
and disciples of Jesus, on the other hand, continue proclaiming the good news of Jesus' resurrection by word and action. Their passion for Christ is unstoppable. Many “possessed people and many
paralyzed and crippled people were cured” in Jesus' name. Crowds of people “paid attention to what was said by Philip [and other disciples of Christ]." When people heard the message being proclaimed and saw the signs being done in Jesus' name, they believed.
If I were among the crowd and part of the history of that
time, to what would I be paying attention? Paul’s war against Christians? Or Philip’s
and the actions of the other disciples of Christ? It is easy to become part of the crowd
ranting and raving about the evil in the world rather than becoming a warrior
for Christ transforming evil into good. I have the choice of being a destroyer or a builder, with Christ, of God's Kingdom in the here and now.
Paul, trying to destroy the good that was happening by the disciples of Christ, made huge mistakes in his life. God's plan for you and me, for anyone, to recover from our mistakes, and do good in the world is not thwarted when we are caught up in a movement bent on destruction of a religion, of another person's reputation, of the Good News of Christ, of our own well-being.When we "fall off the wagon," so to speak, God, in His time, puts us back on the path that leads to the Good News being
proclaimed by our actions and our words. The transforming power of the resurrection at work in the world and within ourselves will not be destroyed by the "Sauls" in our lives.
Thank you, Lord, for continuing the transformation of evil, whatever its form, in our lives and in the world of today!
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