Today we take a diversion from our course of readings because it is the feast of the Conversion of St. Paul.  The Church, mindful of this, gives us the last words of Jesus recorded by Mark (16:15-18) (see the title of this post for the beginning of Jesus’ short exhortation before His Ascension).  Who better proclaimed the Gospel than Paul?  Yet, aren’t we called to do the same?  Jesus was speaking to the remaining eleven apostles here, but all of us, by our baptism, are empowered to spread the Word:

“By Baptism they share in the priesthood of Christ, in his prophetic and royal mission. They are ‘a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, that [they] may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called [them] out of darkness into his marvelous light.’ (1 Pet 2:9) Baptism gives a share in the common priesthood of all believers.” — CCC 1268