It is not our talent that matters

Proclamation is far more straightforward than evil forces would have us believe

By Steve Hall

While the readings for the day (Acts 22:3-16 and Mark16:15-18) may be the inspiration source for reflections, it’s not common for the readings to be themselves a reflection. But today seems to be that exception.

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Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle
Acts 22:3-16
Mark16:15-18

While the readings for the day may be the inspiration source for reflections, it’s not common for the readings to be themselves a reflection. But today seems to be that exception.

Image by nestorestevez

The first of our readings recounts Paul’s conversion experience on the road to Damascus. The details are fairly well known, and Paul’s subsequent travels and letters endure to this day. At the end of this account, we hear of Paul’s life mission.

“The God of our ancestors designated you to know his will, to see the Righteous One, and to hear the sound of his voice; for you will be his witness before all to what you have seen and heard.”

Similarly, the Gospel incident recounts the mission given to Jesus’ Apostles/disciples and implicitly to all.

“Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”

This is a simple command made to seem far more complicated by those powers that oppose it. We, therefore, relegate it to the work of those specially delegated: bishops, priests, and nuns. We are deceived. The mission is not theirs alone. It’s not even their principal mission. Rather, their principal mission is to care for the spiritual well-being of those who are currently disciples.

At this point, we may start to get nervous, concerned about our lack of talent for accomplishing the task. But it is not our talent that matters. And the proclamation is far more straightforward than evil forces would have us believe.

“Praise the LORD, all you nations;
glorify him, all you peoples!
For steadfast is his kindness toward us,
and the fidelity of the LORD endures forever.”

This is our message. This is our good news. This is worth celebrating every day, every hour, and every minute: “Steadfast is his kindness toward us, and the fidelity of the Lord endures forever.” This is a message worth sharing.

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