Today, we have the choice of two first readings, one of them the account of Paul's conversion (Acts 9) and the other Paul's own re-telling of the story (Acts 22). Paul's retelling has some different expressions, which serve to make the story not simply a story of conversion but a story in which Paul's calling and mission come out a little more clear: thus in Acts 9 Jesus says to Paul "You will be told what to do" whereas in Acts 22 the words are: "You will be told about everything you are destined to do." These latter words more clearly imply that Paul was chosen and so called for a special mission, then elaborated by Ananias as Paul's mission to the Gentiles: "Before all men you are to be his witness to what you have seen and heard."

All of us have been chosen before the foundation of the world (Eph 1:4) and like John the Baptist (Jn 1:5) have been sent from God and not merely put into the world or brought into the world by our parents. Life is a divine gift and every divine gift is a divine mission.