You're listening to I Pray with the Gospel on the St. Jose Maria Institute podcast.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, amen.

My Lord and my God, I firmly believe that you are here, that you see me, that you hear me.

I adore you with profound reverence.

I ask your pardon for my sins and the grace to make this time of prayer fruitful.

My Immaculate Mother, St. Joseph, my father, and Lord, my guardian angel,

and receive from me. The conversion of St. Paul. A reading from the Gospel of Mark

chapter 16. And he said to them, go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation.

He who believes and is baptized will be saved.

But he who does not believe will be condemned.

And these signs will accompany those who believe.

In my name they will cast out demons.

Dear St. Paul, today we celebrate your conversion.

It all happened suddenly. It was unexpected for you, but not for God. He had prepared the encounter from all eternity. And you, Saul of Tarsus, could never forget it.

How many times you told the story? I can imagine you, Paul, old and tired in Rome,

surrounded by young Christians hanging on your every word.

I imagine your smile as you describe the exact place, the day, and the time.

Quote, as I made my journey and drew near to Damascus, about noon.

Acts 22, verse 6. I can imagine your grimace when they asked you about St. Stephen.

Maybe with red eyes you told them how he died, how he prayed for you, how you helped those who

stoned him. How blind I was, you would say. How sure of myself I was.

I just didn't know.

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