Paul's conversion is the most famous in history. We are still affected by it today. But he got off to a bad start - he was the chief persecutor of the Christian community. He was convinced that he was doing God's work by hunting them down and throwing them into prison.

But his encounter with the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus taught him how wrong he had been. He became a zealous apostle for the Lord.

Sometimes we might think we are doing God's work by 'setting people straight' or backing them into a corner. We might be fighting against God! Perhaps it would be better to be non-judgmental and to 'wait and see' before we speak and act.

Jesus upset many of his followers by insisting that they had to eat his body and drink his blood to have life. The words were shocking, and they were meant to be. This is more than just the Eucharist - Jesus is telling us that he must be our food, drink, and sustenance. Just as food and drink become part of who we are, Jesus must become part of our makeup as human beings. He must dwell within us in word, thought, and deed.