A WORD FOR TODAY 6 MAY 2022

*A WORD FOR TODAY*

*THE TOUCH OF GOD BRINGS TRANSFORMATION*

_"Now as he journeyed he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed about him. And he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”(Acts 9:3-4)_

_*Sometimes when we encounter those who treat us badly, their attutude hurts and makes us sad and it even moves us to wish that they also experience what they have made us to go through in life.*_

_This kind of mindset comes from a heart filled with pain and with thirst for revenge. It may look good in the eyes and sound great in our minds, but it is not the way of Christ who does not wish that a sinner should perish, but should repent of his or her sin and live._

_*The conversion story of St. Paul on his way to Damascus as we have in the first reading of today is one that teaches us not to give up on people even when they seem not to be doing well. Infact, we owe it as a duty to continue to lift them up in prayers and they will definitely be saved by God's infinite mercy and love.*_

_In the beginning Saul was a terror to the Christian community. He persecuted them and watched them being killed. He was filled with deep hatred for them, but when the hand of the Lord touched him, he fell on the ground, and after he regained his sight throught the prayers of Ananias, he was filled with the Holy Spirit and was transformed from being a killer, to becoming an apostle to the Gentiles._

_*When we act wickedly against others and treat them badly, when we refuse to forgive and hate people, when we try to stop others from showing their skills and talents because we want only ourselves to be noticed and seen, we are like Saul and we need God to touch us so that we can change from evil to good.*_

_Anyone who does not come close to Jesus will never have life, because He is the light of the world and the giver of life. He has given us His body and blood (Holy Eucharist) as food and drink. If we partake of it worthily we shall have eternal life. When Saul was killing the Christians, there was no life in him, but after the encounter with Jesus, he received a new life and became an instrument of evangelization and winner of souls for Christ. God forgave his sins and saved him from eternal damnation._

_*Now is the time to pray for the touch of God in our life for inner transformation. Our conversion experience may not be dramatic as that of Paul, but we can pray to God to touch us so that we can change our evil ways and become better people in words and actions.*_

_Good morning dearest one. Smile😊as you do your work and do have great day. May Jesus touch you so that you will be transformed in your heart. Amen. *And may the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.*_

*Meditation:* Acts 9:1-20/Psalm 117:1-2

*Watch-Word:* Go into all the world and preach the gospel

*Never stop praying for those who treat you badly, your prayer will help them to change someday .*

(Friday of the third week of Easter.)

*© Rev. Fr. Augustine Eleke*