THURSDAY HOMILY, 3RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR B (Feast of the conversion of St Paul).
THEME: And Christ appeared to a Terrorist?
BY: Rev Fr Oselumhense Anetor
Acts 22:3-16; Ps.117:1-2; Mark 16:15-18
I have never lost any family member or close relative to the violence in Benue, Kaduna, Zamfara and some other states of my country Nigeria, neither have I lost anyone to Boko Haram terrorism in the North East. So I may not have a direct feel of the pain that those who have must feel. But daily, I see gory pictures and hear sad tales of how human beings like me have been slaughtered, maimed and persecuted in my country. Those who have been slain are human beings first, before they are Muslims, Christians or anything else. I know it must be extremely difficult to tell these persons to continue to pray for the conversion of these fanatics and extremists.
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But look at Paul’s story in today’s first reading. He wasn’t any different from the average terrorist in his day; at least as far as Christians in that era were concerned. Saul even believed he was doing God’s will. Sounds familiar? Did God strike him dead? No way! Christ appeared to him personally and channeled his zeal to something worthwhile. We must learn something from God’s attitude to us sinners, no matter how much pain and bitterness we nurse. For God, what matters is the conversion of sinners, not gathering of arms, and killing others in supposed self defense. May the intercession of St Paul bring about true conversion to those who persecute the faith today, Amen!
Good morning dear. God bless your day ahead. St Paul, pray for us!
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