Homily: Ocotber 8, 2024, Tuesday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time (Purpose)

"But when He, who from my mother’s womb had set me apart and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son to me, so that I might proclaim Him to the Gentiles."

St. Paul’s conversion always gives us hope. A persecutor who became a preacher. His transformation was a miracle. Yes, nothing is impossible for God. Paul went around to preach and proclaim what he previously persecuted and sought to prevent its spread.

What struck me deeply is Paul’s belief that “from my mother’s womb, He had set me apart and called me.” That means that the very purpose of his existence was not to persecute the Christians, but to preach the Good News to the Gentiles. St. Paul was born for this, to be an apostle to the Gentiles and an author for nearly 25% of the New Testament books.

When he realized his true calling, he embraced it fully and excelled in it. That is why he said, “Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel.” His life would have been meaningless and purposeless if he did not find and fulfill his calling.

Do we know what God is calling us to be? What is our purpose in life?

It is thus crucial that we discern and discover soon what is the purpose we have been set apart for, which is meant for us specifically. If we do not fulfill it, no one else will, and our life could become meaningless, purposeless and restless.

Without this discovery, we will never be satisfied with life, we would continue seeking happiness in the wrong places, and possibly ending in greater despair.

God called us to this life and chose us in Christ even before the foundation of the world. This is the truth.

So let us be open to His divine call, listen keenly to His promptings, look attentively to His signs. If you hear that inner voice stirring your heart, please say "yes" and act upon it. When you find your call, you will find deep peace, you will find true joy, and God will be pleased.

Amen.