SATURDAY, SECOND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul
Acts 22: 3-16/ Acts 9: 1-22 Ps 117: 1-2 Mk 16: 15-18
THE ‘SCALES’ IN OUR HEARTS
Today’s feast reminds us that conversion is a lifelong process. Each of us is in constant need of spiritual renewal. To call ourselves Christians is not merely to bear a title; it is to live a life that reflects Christ Himself. As we grow in conformity to Him, this inner transformation fundamentally changes how we view the world and others. We begin to see Christ in every person we encounter, recognizing His presence in the faces of our neighbours, especially in the poor, the marginalized, and the suffering. Paul’s journey teaches us this profound truth.
On the road to Damascus, Paul was struck down by a vision that forever changed his life. Falling to the ground, he heard the voice of Christ: “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” (Acts 9:4). Paul’s physical blindness in that moment symbolized his spiritual blindness – his inability to see Christ in others, especially in those he persecuted. However, when Ananias laid hands on Paul and prayed for him, “something like scales” fell from his eyes (Acts 9:18), and he regained his sight – both physically and spiritually. What were these “scales” that had prevented Paul from recognizing Christ in those around him? Perhaps they were the same obstacles we often face – ignorance, prejudice, pride, self-righteousness, and stubbornness.
We must ask ourselves: What are the scales that blind me from seeing Christ in those around me? Anger, jealousy, resentment, unforgiveness, and a desire for revenge can harden our hearts and distort our vision. To remove these scales, we must turn to God in humility. Time spent in prayer reveals the sins hidden in our hearts, and through the sacrament of reconciliation, we receive the grace to change. As we grow in our relationship with God through prayer and the sacraments, we experience inner liberation. The scales fall away, and we begin to see clearly the face of Christ in every person we meet.
Response: Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel.
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