Are you ready for the task?
We can ultimately draw upon God's grace and power to fulfill our calling
By Ron Bruni
INTRO: Paul's letters reflect his mastery of Greek rhetorical techniques, which enhances his ability to persuade and teach. He employed logical arguments (e.g., Romans), emotional appeals (e.g., Philippians), and practical advice (e.g., Corinthians) tailored to his audience's needs. So, as you can see, God wisely chose Paul for this job.
Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle
Acts 22:3-16
Mark16:15-18
Today's readings happen to fall on the feast of the conversion of St. Paul, the apostle. They include readings from Acts chapter 22, Psalm 117, and Mark's gospel chapter 16. These passages' common theme shows God's inclusive plan for salvation, encouraging believers to proclaim His love and truth to all nations and peoples. These passages emphasize that God's mercy, faithfulness, and redemption are meant for everyone, getting past any cultural or ethnic boundaries.
The first reading details St. Paul's conversion and the steps this conversion took to convert him from the major persecutor of Christians to the most significant cause for Christianity's expansion beyond Judaism. Most of us are familiar with the narration of his conversion and the beginning of his evangelization, so I will only discuss why Paul may have been specifically chosen by God to be the significant spreader of the teachings across the known world.
Paul acknowledges that God chose him for this mission before his birth (Galatians 1:15-16). Paul's dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-19) demonstrates that his calling was a direct act of divine intervention. Jesus explicitly referred to Paul as "my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel."
Paul's upbringing, education, and status uniquely equipped him for his role. As a Jew from Tarsus, Paul was well-versed in Jewish traditions and scripture, having been trained as a Pharisee under Gamaliel. Thus, Paul had an extensive knowledge of Jewish Law, which he used to argue persuasively for Jesus as the fulfillment of the Law. Paul was also fluent in Greek, which was crucial in spreading Christianity worldwide, particularly among gentile (non-Jewish) audiences. Greek was the common language of the eastern Mediterranean during the first century, making it the primary language for communication, trade, and all cultural exchange. Paul could write, speak, and think in Greek, thus allowing him to communicate the gospel message effectively to diverse audiences. Using Greek, Paul could address a broader audience than relying solely on Aramaic or Hebrew. He was also profoundly familiar with Greek culture, language, and literature, thus allowing him to engage effectively with both Jewish and Gentile audiences (Acts 21:39; Acts 17:28). Even his letters were written in koine (common) Greek, making them accessible to early Christian communities and becoming the foundational texts for the New Testament.
Paul's knowledge of Greek culture and literature allowed him to engage with Gentiles on their terms. For example, in Athens (acts chapter 17:22 through 31), Paul quoted Greek poets such as Epimenedes and Aratus to connect with his audience and allow them to appreciate and comprehend the gospel message. He adapted his language to resonate with his audience. In Athens, he accomplished this by avoiding direct references to Jewish scriptures (which would have been unfamiliar to his audience). Instead, he spoke about God as "the divine being," a term familiar to Stoic philosophers. This cultural sensitivity made his message more relatable.
Paul's fluency in Greek enabled him to engage with influential philosophical traditions in the Greco-Roman world. For instance, he debated Stoic and Epicurean philosophers on Mars Hill (acts chapter 17:18 – 34), presenting the gospel in terms they could understand while being able to parry their challenges effectively. His ability to incorporate elements of Stoic thought into his arguments demonstrates his intellectual versatility and helps bridge the gap between Jewish Christian theology and Greek philosophical traditions.
Paul frequently quoted from the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, rather than directly from Hebrew texts. This choice made his arguments more understanding to Hellenized Jews and Gentiles familiar with the Septuagint but not Hebrew.
Paul's letters reflect his mastery of Greek rhetorical techniques, which enhances his ability to persuade and teach. He employed logical arguments (e.g., Romans), emotional appeals (e.g., Philippians), and practical advice (e.g., Corinthians) tailored to his audience's needs. So, as you can see, God wisely chose Paul for this job.
His fluency in Greek was instrumental in spreading Christianity beyond its Jewish roots into a global faith. It allowed him to communicate effectively with diverse audiences, engage Greco-Roman philosophical traditions, contextualize the gospel for Gentiles, and write foundational Christian texts that remain influential today.
As if that was not enough, Paul was a tent maker by trade. It was customary for Jewish boys to learn a trade and he took up tent making. This was something he learned during his early years in Tarsus, a city in Celicia known for its production of goats’ hair cloth used in tents. Paul used this skill to support himself financially during his missionary journeys, particularly in situations where he wanted to avoid being a financial burden on the communities he was serving or to maintain his credibility as a preacher of the Gospel.
The moment Jesus appeared to his apostles after his resurrection and commanded them to "go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to all creations" must've been an overwhelming and transformative experience. Reflecting on their likely emotions and thoughts in that instant reveals a complex mixture of fear and resolve.
The apostles had just witnessed the resurrected Christ, a reality confirming everything Jesus foretold. This encounter would've filled them with profound knowledge of the power of God over death and the fulfillment of divine promises. Seeing Jesus alive after his crucifixion must've deepened their understanding of his divinity and mission, leaving them in reverence and wonder.
Initially, the apostles struggled with unbelief and fear. Mark 16:14 notes that Jesus rebuked them for their "unbelief and hardness of heart" because they doubted his resurrection reports. The earlier fear — hiding behind locked doors (John 20:19) — likely lingered as they grappled with the enormity of what they were asked to do. The command to preach to "all creation" was logistically daunting and dangerous in a world hostile to their message. Yet this fear was tempered by the undeniable truth of Christ's resurrection, which emboldened them to move forward despite the risks. They may have felt unworthy of such a monumental task. Peter, for instance, had denied Jesus three times before his crucifixion (Mark 14:66 – 72), and others had fled in fear (Mark 14:50). Yet, Jesus' appearance was a powerful act of forgiveness and restoration, reminding them that their mission was not based on their merit but on God's grace and empowerment through the Holy Spirit (John chapter 20:21 – 22). The apostles must've felt the weight of this task as they realized they were entrusted with spreading the message that would define human salvation. Despite these challenges, they began to steel themselves to the task. The resurrection was proof that God's power could overcome any obstacle. Jesus's promise that he would be with them always and the coming gift of the Holy Spirit assured them they would not be alone in their mission. This hope transforms their fear and courage and their doubts into faith.
So, in that pivotal moment, the apostles transitioned from hesitant followers to bold witnesses of Christ's resurrection. Their emotions were likely a blend of awe at Jesus's victory over death, humility at being chosen despite their failures, fear at the daunting mission ahead, and hope rooted in God's promises. This transformation set the stage for their eventual fearless proclamation of the gospel worldwide — a testament to how encountering the risen Christ can inspire even the most ordinary individuals to accomplish extraordinary things.
The apostle's experience of receiving Jesus' commands to proclaim the gospel to all nations resonates deeply with the challenges and opportunities faced by ordinary followers of Christ today. While the context has changed, the parallels between their mission and ours are similar as Modern Christians face a similar sense of responsibility to carry out this great commission in a world that often feels overwhelming. Today's world is fast, diverse, and increasingly secularized, making evangelism daunting. Yet, like the apostles, we are reminded that it is not by our strength but through God's power and guidance that this mission is accomplished.
Just as Jesus entrusted his apostles in Mark's Gospel to spread his message of salvation, today, he entrusts us with continuing that mission. We are called to be faithful witnesses in our communities. The same spirit that empowered the early church is available to us now.
Modern believers, like the Apostles, can ultimately draw upon God's grace and power to fulfill this calling. Whether through quiet acts of service or bold proclamations of faith, each follower has a role in advancing God's kingdom. Like them, we are reminded that it is not about our abilities, but about God working through us for his glory.
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