A WORD FOR TODAY 25 JANUARY 2021

*A WORD FOR TODAY

GOD IS MERCIFUL, REPENT AND BE SAVED

_"As I made my journey and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone about me. And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ And I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth whom you are persecuting"(Acts 22:6-8)_

_*Today we celebrate the feast of the conversion of saint Paul. He was one of the greatest evangelizers of all time, but before His conversion he greatly persecuted the Christians and did all he could to stop them from proclaiming Christ.*_

_The coversion of Saul to Paul happened, because God showed him mercy. He had caused pain and agony to so many, he has wounded and killed so much, but God's love and will was not for him to die, but to turn from his evil ways and become a new man._

_*The journey to Damascus was for him to go and destroy the Christians and stop them from following Christ, but he never knew he was persecuting Christ. The light of God shone upon him and he was brought down to the ground and the journey of his conversion started.*_

_When the light of God penetrates our heart, we will no longer love evil, but detest it and strive everyday to stay away from evil and all those who patronise it. When the veil that blinded the eyes of Saul was removed, he was washed clean in the waters of baptism and He became Paul. He was no longer the killer, but a preacher of the gospel for the salvation of the Gentiles._

_*God is merciful and His mercy is for all. Therefore, anyone who turns away from evil and seek good shall receive forgiveness from Him. Conversion begins with repentance. You must recognize that you have not acted well and then you resolve to change your ways and make amends. God's grace is given to help us, but if we fail to accept it and cooperate with it we may never make a headway in seeking the face of God.*_

_Everyday is a new opportunity for us to change from evil to good. Be truthful to yourself and identify the area in your life where you need to change. Come to Jesus and be touched by His love and light and let it move you to become a new person in words and deeds._

_*Now is the time to rise like saint Paul from bitterness and hatred to love, from bringing people down to helping them rise again, from causing harm and sadness to others to becoming the reason why they smile and are happy. We can do much more for God and humanity when our heart is transformed by the light of Christ as it did in saint Paul. If we are going to witness for Jesus powerfully here on earth, we must turn away from evil, detest sin, repent and accept Jesus to be our Lord and master at all times.*_

_Good morning dearest one. Smile😊 as you do your work and do have a blessed day and splendid new week. May the light of Christ shine on your path so that you will not walk in darkness. *And may the Almighty God blesd you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.*_

*Meditation:* Acts 22:3-16/Psalm 117:1-2/Mark 16:15-18

*Watch-Word:* Go into all the world and preach the Good News.

*God has a mission for us, but we must purify ourselves, if we are going to do it well. Repent of your sins and He will use you to bring others to Himself.*

(Monday of the third week in the ordinary time. Feast of the conversion of saint Paul.)