Conversion is not something that only happens once in a lifetime.

 
Reading: He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. Mark 16:15-16.
 
Good morning, happy Tuesday, and many blessings my dear family.
 
In today’s gospel (Mark 16:15-18) passage, Jesus appears to the eleven apostles.  He instructs them, “Go forth into the whole world and proclaim the good news to every creature!”   Jesus then adds, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved and whoever does not believe will be condemned.”  Then he tells the apostles that they will be able to perform extraordinary signs.  They will preach in his name.  They will drive out demons.  They will speak new languages, pick up serpents, and drink poison, but not be harmed.   Additionally, they will have ability to heal anyone who is sick.
 
In this Gospel story we learn of the central truth that Jesus preaches and sends us out to proclaim to all creation. He calls it the “good news” of God’s love, and will, or dream for us.
 
Conversion is not something that only happens once in a lifetime. It is something that can happen to us several times during our life. Let us be ready to answer whenever the Lord calls us to something greater. How am I proclaiming the good news of the gospel and am I open to doing something more?
These words are presented as the last instruction of Jesus to his disciples before he ascended into heaven. They now have the responsibility of proclaiming the good news as he had done. And they must do so with courage. Note the universality of the mission: “to all the world”, “to the whole of creation”.
Do you see how appropriate this reading is on a feast of Saint Paul? His conversion (which is the focus of this particular feast) prepared him to become an apostle to the Gentiles (the pagans). His long journeys led him to cover much of the territory that comprised the Roman Empire. He preached and healed, founded, and supported local communities. His life teaches us that mission (outreach) is not an option. The Church is missionary of its very nature.
Today Jesus speaks those same words to us.   He also calls us to proclaim the good news to everyone we meet.  We may do it through our words and our actions.   Maybe our care and attention to individuals will heal them of their loneliness.  Perhaps by noticing the individual and engaging in conversation with them, their “demon” may no longer have such great power over them.  Today Jesus calls us to “proclaim the good news.”  Will we answer his call?
 
Blessings,
 
Luis+