Convincing Cooperation

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today commemorate the conversion of Saint Paul. The dramatic account of the one who persecuted the Way with great zeal being thrown blind from his horse on the road to Damascus after hearing Jesus question his current life direction is the stuff of Hollywood movies. A conversion experience like that would set me on my heels too, we conclude. The work of Paul in proclaiming the Good News to the Gentiles is nothing but the story of the most inspirational, dramatic, Spirit filled journey of personal struggle which continues to move people to greater intimacy with the Divine as the words and actions of "Saul, Saul" are brought to us through the letters to the Christian communities, the Book of Acts and the Christian tradition. The power of a human converted to serve the will of God is witness to the cooperation of our indwelling Spirit with the Holy Spirit. The passage from the Gospel of Mark provides a commissioning directive which according to Friar Jude Winkler was probably added to the Evangelist's text by a disciple. It reminds us, like the Great Commission in the Gospel of Matthew, that we are missioned to proclaim the Good News with our lives and that we should expect that the cooperation we give to the Spirit of God will result in the spread of healing and protection among people.