The Conversion of St. Paul
(Check Google Images for Snow Covered Trees)
And Jesus said to Saul (Paul), "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" He replied, "Who are you?" Jesus said, "I am Jesus the Nazarene whom you are persecuting." While this reading from the Acts of the Apostles was written almost 2000 years ago, are you willing to grant this: Jesus would be repeating the same sentences today?
How many are the ways this might be happening today in our world, our nation, our communities and, yes, even in our families! Consider how Christians are reacting to realities in our world today. Consider how Catholic parents and siblings might be reacting to the lifestyles of children or siblings.
When we experience the next snow storm, look at the trees. Their branches seem to be different from each other in the way the snow is blanketed on each tree. Each is so very different. However, each is a God -given gift to humanity. How do you judge these trees? Each has its own beauty recognized by some not by others. But what beauty there is when this collection of snow covered trees is viewed across a afield. Together these trees form a mosaic in whites, browns, greens and shades between.
Now consider the forests of people that populate the world today. There are so many difference -- shapes, sizes, colors, nationalities, religious and so forth. Some are Roman Catholics, some Jewish, others Muslims, some infected by HIV Positive, others by AIDS -- some of their won experiences, others the result of parental or spousal activities. Some are parents, some are children who with their parents are "illegals" in our land, some are "dirt poor," others are in the top .06% of wealthy individuals. Some are men, some are women and some are children. This paragraph could continue with many other categories of different types of people. Sad to say, it is often by personal dislikes or mistrusts that you and I are both victim and perpetrator! Today Jesus would grow exhausted, positing the same question: "Why are you persecuting me?" Can you answer Jesus if he asked you that same question today? Once again, let me repeat what has been posted here past: "... being a Christian is not for sissies!"
