Friday of the
Third Week of Easter
(Acts 9:1-20; John 6:52-59)
Paul is so central to the establishment of Christianity
that the story of his conversion is told three times in the Acts of the
Apostles. The accounts differ in details
but all convey the central point: Paul was called directly by the Lord to missionary
service.
Interestingly, Jesus did not choose Paul because of his
preaching ability. Paul himself
disclaims any charism for proclaiming orally the word of God. However, his gifts
of theological profoundness and willingness to suffer make him a great
missionary. There is another factor,
however, that contributed even more to Paul’s accomplishments. Today’s reading mentions it. Paul was “filled with the holy Spirit.” The Spirit provided the zeal with which Paul
worked. More than that, it crowned all
of Paul’s abilities and efforts with love of God and neighbor. Paul’s profundity and his long-suffering were
so productive because he cared deeply for others.
The same Spirit, of course, is ours. It is bestowed as we enter the Church, the
community of love. It grows when we come
together to share Christ’s Flesh and Blood.
Reversing the natural process, we become what we eat – more like our
Lord Jesus Christ.
Today the Church remembers two saints who, like all
others, testified to the power the Holy Spirit.
St. Antoninus was the Dominican archbishop of Florence. He oversaw the religious affairs of the city
at his historical moment of greatness at the beginning of the Renaissance. We also commemorate Fr. Damien, missionary to
the lepers of Hawaii. He took care of
the outcasts so selflessly that he became one himself.
