Conversion

"Immediately things like scales fell from Paul's eyes and he regained his sight. He got up and was baptized, and when he had eaten, he recovered his strength." Acts 9:18

Sometimes we are able to see matters differently when we pause, listen or even change positions. Stepping back from from an argument almost always helps and wise friends also encourage us to look at difficult questions from a new angle, and give ourselves time to understand.

Acts tells us that St Paul fell down on the road to Damascus when a light flashed around him, and when he got up, he could not see. Worried and troubled by his sudden blindness, Paul stops eating and drinking until Ananias, a follower of Jesus, lays hands on him and tells him that the light he experienced on the road to Damascus was Jesus. Then "scales" fall from Paul's eyes and he can see again. By laying hands on him, Ananias helped Paul to see Jesus with new eyes. Convinced that Jesus is the promised Messiah, Paul is baptized and soon becomes the apostle to the Gentiles, the one who plants the faith all over the known world.

Easter is a time when the church prays that the "light" will go on for all, that we will be unafraid to change positions, listen more caringly to the honest questions and needs of others, and announce the Good News more clearly, compassionately and dynamically. It is also a time to pray to be free from any fear and sin that blinds us to our own call.

Today pray that any "scales" fall from your eyes so that you will have the courage to live the Gospel more wholeheartedly and without fear.

Have you had moments of deep conversion that freed you to see Christ more clearly and announce him more powerfully?