Saul experienced a very powerful encounter with the risen Christ. Jesus asked Saul why he had been persecuting him, Jesus. Remember Jesus' words in Matt. 25.40: "Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these…you did it to me." Jesus told Saul to go into Damascus where he would meet Ananias. Ananias was afraid to meet Saul because he had heard that Saul persecuted Jesus' followers. Jesus told Ananias that he had a special mission for Saul. Despite his fear Ananias believed and obeyed Jesus. When Ananias spoke to Saul, he called him "brother Saul" for he trusted what Jesus had said. After being filled with the Holy Spirit, Saul was healed and then baptized. While we celebrate the conversion of Saint Paul, let us also celebrate the faith and trust of Ananias, the person Christ used to heal Saul's sight.

In this longer ending of Mark, Jesus told the disciples that they were to proclaim the good news of his resurrection to everyone. Those who believed and were baptized would be empowered to heal and do marvelous acts. Jesus' mention of picking up snakes without being harmed reminds us of Isaiah's reference to the perfect kingdom where all would live in peace (Isaiah 11). The Kingdom of God is wherever Christ lives - and that potential is within the heart of each person who truly believes and desires to follow Jesus.