Dear Fathers, Sisters and Brothers in Jesus Christ, first of all, I Wish you a very happy feast.

Judas had the best pastor, the best leader, the best adviser, the best counselor. Yet he failed. The problem is not leadership or the church you go to. You will always be the same if your attitude or character doesn’t change or your heart doesn’t transform.

Today, the Church is commemorating the conversion of St. Paul, an apostle. According to St. Mark, Jesus resurrected and bestowed a mission upon the apostles. The mission was to go out to the whole world and proclaim the Good News. This included the idea that faith and baptism are essential for salvation. In fact, Jesus said, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned” (Mk 16:16). Furthermore, Christ guarantees that preachers will be given the authority to work miracles or prodigies which will support and confirm their missionary preaching (cf. Mk 17:18). Though the mission is enormous – “Go into the whole world” – it will not be without the Lord’s escort. Jesus promised, “And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age” (Mt 28:20). Today’s collect tells us: “O God, by the preaching of your apostle Paul, you have caused the light of the Gospel to shine throughout the world: Grant, we pray, that we, having his wonderful conversion in remembrance, may show ourselves thankful to you by following his holy teaching.” A gospel God has allowed us to know and that so many souls would desire to have: we are responsible for transmitting this wonderful heritage to whatever extent we can.

The ceremonies, observances, liturgical rites, food prohibitions, and works prescribed by the Old Law were not enough to establish a person’s right relationship with God. The grace of faith in Christ is the only means of justification. Faith is not a one-time action but a continuous process of entrusting ourselves to Christ, being united with Him, and living in conformity with His life, which is characterized by love. As stated by Paul, we are justified by faith that is expressed through love (Galatians 5:14). St. Paul’s conversion is a great event: from persecuting Jesus’ followers, he converted into a servant and defender of the cause of Christ. Quite often, perhaps, we have also been “persecutors”: and, as St. Paul, we need to convert from “persecutors” into servants and defenders of Jesus Christ.

“What does Paul’s conversion mean for us?” This question was pondered by Pope Emeritus Benedict and he answered it by saying, “We can only consider ourselves Christians if we have a personal encounter with Christ” (Benedict XVI, September 3, 2008). Becoming a Christian is not just about adopting a new philosophy or choosing to follow a new moral code. It goes much deeper and is the result of encountering the risen Christ through Scripture, prayer, acts of love, and participation in the Church’s liturgy. Once our faith in Christ is genuine, it is transformed into charity and love.

St. Augustine once said that just as Saul was led to Ananias, the fierce wolf is led to the innocent sheep. However, the Shepherd, who watches over all from the top of heaven, reassures the wolf, saying, “Do not be afraid.” It is truly remarkable! The once-captive wolf is now being led towards the very sheep it used to hunt. And the Lamb who gave His life for the sheep is now teaching the wolf to not be afraid.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church, in paragraph 977, states that Jesus Christ linked the forgiveness of sins to faith and Baptism. As it is written in Mark 16:15-16, “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved.” Baptism is considered as the first and most important sacrament of forgiveness of sins because it unites us with Christ. Christ died for our sins and rose again for our justification, and through baptism, we can also walk in newness of life, as mentioned in Romans 6:4.

We may have a strong understanding of our purpose and calling in life. However, each day presents a new opportunity for us to recommit ourselves to God. Our mission and purpose are reflected in the small decisions we make every day. We should ask ourselves, What is God expecting of me today? How can I act as a follower or messenger of Jesus today?

I am reminded of the life of Mother Carla Borgheri, who was committed to a life of holiness. She spent much of her time in prayer, devoted to the Eucharist and Mother Mary. Throughout her life, she exemplified the virtue of hope and always trusted in Divine Providence. She showed her love and charity towards God and others and had a deep respect for priests and religious sisters. Mother Carla lived a simple life, practicing virtues such as poverty, chastity, obedience, and humility. She had unique charismatic gifts and was considered by many to be a saint. Let us pray for the beatification and canonization of the servant of God, Mother Carla Borgheri, who founded the Missionary Sisters of the Incarnation and the Missionary Fathers of the Incarnation.

With the Virgin Mary, we should realise the Almighty has also noticed us and has chosen us to share and carry out the priestly, religious redeeming mission of his divine Son: Let us pray to Regina apostolorum, Queen of the apostles and ask her to give us the courage to bear witness to our Christian faith in this world of ours.

Lastly, let us thank and pray for the Postulator, Vice Postulator, Bishops, Episcopal Delegate, Notaries, Copiers, Sisters, and all those who bore witness, as well as those who were engaged in the kitchen and the church. May they be blessed by the intercession of Mother Carla Borgheri.

Sia lodato Gesù Cristo

Fr. Arockia Jose – Promotore di Giustizia