St. Paul By: C.C.

 

“It happened that I was on that journey and nearly at Damascus when in the middle of the day a bright light from heaven suddenly shone around me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? “ I answered, “Who are you, Lord?” and he said to me, “I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting. “The people with me saw the light but did not hear the voice which spoke to me. I said, “What am I to do, Lord?”The Lord answered, “Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told what you have been appointed to do. “Since the light had been so dazzling that I was blind, I got to Damascus only because my companions led me by the hand. Someone called Ananias, a devout follower of the Law and highly thought of by all the Jews living there, came to see me; he stood beside me and said, `Brother Saul, receive your sight.` Instantly my sight came back and I was able to see him. Then he said, `` The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will, to see the Upright One and hear his own voice speaking, because you are to be his witness before all humanity, testifying what you have seen and heard. And now why delay? Hurry and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.`` (Acts 22:6-16)

     Today we reflect upon the conversion of St. Paul. Through his life we are able to see God's transforming power of grace and mercy. St. Paul's conversion shows to us the depths that our Lord will go to pull us out of our sin.

    I have always been drawn to the writings of St. Paul, finding immense value and modern relativity in his teachings on Christian Life. Through St. Paul one can recognize the power of Christ within, the importance of surrender, and the way that we are called to live as followers of Christ.
Today's reading at Mass began by describing "Saul" as one who persecutes the Lord's disciples and by the end of this reading we are faced with the miracle of Saul being completely transformed by God. He is no longer one aiming to slaughter Christians, but one on fire for the Lord proclaiming the teachings of Jesus Christ.
    As we recall the Conversion of St. Paul today let us pray for his intercession to help lead souls to faith in Christ. Let us praise God for His power to transform and change us. May we constantly recognize our need for conversion daily. Let us come see ourselves as instruments of our Lord and seek opportunities to do His will and share the Good News. May we be proud of our Catholic identity and confidently live out our faith each day.
     Lord, As we bear witness to the world around us it is often hard to remain hopeful and faithful. Provide us with the courage, faith, and hope to persevere with You as our guide. Thank you for the gift of faith and for the eyes to see you, the ears to hear Your Word, and a heart that strives for purity. Amen (C.C.)

“With eyes wide open to the mercies of God, I beg you, my brothers, as an act of intelligent worship, to give him your bodies, as a living sacrifice, consecrated to him and acceptable by him. Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould, but let God re-mould your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all his demands and moves towards the goal of true maturity” (Rom 12:1-2, Phillips)