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Today we celebrate the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul. Have you ever taken a moment to reflect on the weird things we celebrate in the Catholic Church? Today we celebrate not just a person, but specifically his conversion. Did you know we also have feasts where we celebrate churches, apparitions, and even a chair!

In any case, this is a very important moment in the life of our Church. St. Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles. As someone who isn't ancestorally Jewish, I really believe that my faith and the faith of my ancestors is due in some way, shape, or form to St. Paul and his preaching. 

Paul wasn't physically there when Jesus appeared to the 11 in today's Gospel entrusting them with the great commission, "Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature."

Paul was among the first to witness that Jesus can break into the hardest of hearts. Paul was totally changed by his encounter with Jesus and then he went on the change the world.

What about us? How have you been so affected by Jesus that you've totally changed?

I know for me that it's been a slow process. I was never a bad kid, but my relationship with Jesus drives me to be better, to grow in faith, hope, and charity. Sometimes it feels like I'm talking two steps forward and one step back, but the Lord knows me and loves me. The same is true of you. Cooperate with His grace and allow Him to make you a new creation.