God Said Stand Up, Paul: Roger Alfred Yoron Modi

In the First Reading today January 25th, the book of Acts tells us that as Saul, now Paul the Apostle whose Feast of Conversion we are celebrating, made his journey and drew near to Damascus, at about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone about him, the light that later came to be the Lord Jesus as he the Nazarene himself confessed. Now those who were with Saul saw the light but did not hear the voice of the one who was speaking with him. He said: "And when I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus." What do I think about Jesus now? What is his appearance? Apart from the pictures or paintings, sculptures or crosses where do we think we may see Jesus? What is our literal description of Jesus we expect to see? Have we thought enough about the story in the the First Chapter of John about the beginning where there was the word, the word being with God and the word was God, and Jesus being that light and word? How and where may we see Jesus as God also as was described in the Old Testament, in Genesis? Have we thought enough about Paul being better than us to go through the experience of seeing the light and hearing the voice of Jesus? Those are my reflections for today. Enjoy this song taught to me by my mother and I tried to sing today titled "God Said Stand Up, Paul," from a Hymn by Saint Paul Major Seminary, Sudan: God said Stand Up, Paul and dry off your tears You must preach my Gospel for many more Years Go to Damascus to the Road that is straight You will meet Ananias and there you must wait I counted on Adam I counted on Cain I counted on Jonah but he was the same I counted on Judas but he proved untrue o go and tell this World Paul I'm counting on you. Three days gone by Lord and yet I can see but just as my brother is talking to me He said brother Paul the Lord in the Sky has sent me to heal you and open your eyes I will send you to the Gentiles I will send you to Rome but Paul you must suffer till I call you back You will sleep in the desert You will be shipwreck at sea O go and tell this World Paul I'm counting on you.