Friday of the Third Week of Easter

“Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” He said, “Who are you, sir?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do.”

Although we might not realize it, we persecute Jesus just as Saul did. We might not hunt down Christians like he did or stand by as innocent people are stoned to death, but we do it in little ways. We do it when we chose our own interests over what God is calling us to do. We do it when we put our selfish desires ahead of the good of others. We do it when we choose to be lazy or to let an opportunity to do good pass us by. We do it when we let our passions rule our wisdom and our conscience. We do it when we don’t listen to someone’s cry for help. We do it when we seek revenge or deny forgiveness to those who ask for it. We do it in many great and small ways whenever we sin. However, thanks to the Resurrection and the hope it gives to us, we like Saul, can be transformed into good and faithful servants if we are willing to listen to His Word and do what He tells us in our heart of hearts.

How are we persecuting God? How can we overcome our sins and make amends to our Lord and God? Are we ready and willing to listen to the plan that He has for us and embrace it?

O Lord, transform us from sinful Sauls into faithful Pauls so we might become more Christ-like in all that we think, say, and do.

Amen.