The Conversion of St Paul | Tuesday 25 January 2022

Today is Tuesday the 25th of January, the feast of the Conversion of St Paul.



The Kyiv Chamber Choir, sing the Credo: “I believe in one God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.” As I start this prayer today, can I join in with this strong, almost exuberant expression of faith? Can I begin by declaring my faith in my God, my creator, my heavenly Father?



Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Mark.



Mark 16:15-18


And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation. The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; but the one who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: by using my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.’



In today’s Gospel, we hear the risen Jesus tell his followers to ‘go out to the whole world’ and proclaim ‘the Good News to all creation.’ As you hear these words, what is your initial reaction?



Jesus wants the good news proclaimed ‘to all creation.’ Spend a few moments calling to mind today’s world and all its inhabitants, human and non-human; all God’s creatures. What do you imagine Jesus wants to say to all of them; to all of us? What would be truly ‘good news’?



In this passage, Jesus makes some bold, and perhaps confusing, statements about how his followers will be identified out in the world. As you listen to it again, don’t worry about trying to make sense of them. Notice what these striking images stir up in your imagination. What do they say to you about the kind of faith involved in proclaiming good news to all creation?



What is staying with you from this prayer? Imagine Jesus himself standing or sitting beside you now. Take some time to talk to him about whatever is on your mind or heart.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.