July 19, 2014
Saul’s Conversion
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles 9, 1 – 19:
Now Saul, still breathing murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, that, if he should find any men or women who belonged to the Way, he might bring them back to Jerusalem in chains. On his journey, as he was nearing Damascus, a light from the sky suddenly flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ He said, “Who are you, sir?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, for they heard the voice but could see no one. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him to Damascus. For three days he was unable to see, and he neither ate or drank.
There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” He answered, “Here I am, Lord.” The Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight and ask at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is there praying, and he has seen a man name Ananias come in and lay his hands on him, that he may regain his sight.” The Lord said, “Go, for this man is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before Gentiles, kings, and Israelites, and I will show him what he will have to suffer for my name.” So Ananias went and entered the house, laying his hands on him, he said, “Saul, my brother, the Lord has sent me, Jesus who appeared to you on the way by which you came, that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately things like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight. He got up and was baptized, and when he had eaten, he recovered his strength.
I had a Healing Mass in a church in Quebec and there was a man who had heart trouble. The doctors thought that he will most likely need a heart transplant. At the healing service, I prayed with all the people in the church and I also prayed with this man with the heart trouble. After a few days I received a phone call that this man had gone to see his doctor and he had sent him to the hospital for tests. When the result came back they could not believe it. His heart was completely healed. I thank the Lord for this great miracle.
Below you will find the message of Our Blessed Mother given to Father Melvin. She spoke to him these words, “I love you My son Melvin and all My sons and daughters who have a great devotion to Me. You believe in My Son Jesus with all your heart. At the beginning of the Church in Israel, there was a man named Saul and he was working hard to destroy the church of My Son. He had many Christians arrested and thrown into prison and of course the leaders of the Jews supported him. However, one day as he was on his way to Damascus, a bright light shone around him and he fell to the ground. Then My Son Jesus spoke to him these words, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” Saul asked him who He was and Jesus answered, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.” This shows that if someone persecutes the Christians, they are persecuting My Son Jesus, who is their Savior. He was sent to Damascus but the men with him had to hold him by the hand as he could not see. He was in Damascus for three days when Ananias came to him and placed his hands on his head and he regain his sight. Then Ananias baptized him for he had been converted by My Son Jesus Himself. He then became a great follower of My Son and spread the Good News in many countries.
Read his story and let him be an example for all of you. He became a great believer and one who prayed regularly. He suffered much as a Christian but he never stopped. He was numbered among the Apostles of My Son. I bless you all.”
Father Melvin
P.S. What a beautiful sunny day we had today Friday. It was sunny the whole day but there was a little wind which kept the heat down. I thank the Lord for this wonderful day.