The Conversion of Paul

On January 25 we celebrate the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul. If nothing else, Paul’s story is one of hope for all of us. The Acts of the Apostles recounts the story of Saul, a Roman citizen, and his transformation from a faithful Jew educated at the feet of the Rabbi Gamaliel, one of the most revered teachers of the day, into a dogged persecutor of the Way, to a man struck down and blind who ‘sees the Light’ and becomes known as Paul, one of the most fervent evangelizers and proclaimers of the Christian faith.

Paul admits—he breathed murderous threats against members of this new sect. He was a witness to the stoning of Stephen—the first martyred for his faith in Christ. Saul’s desire was to go to synagogues in Damascus and bring all believers of Jesus Christ—both men and women—back in chains to Jerusalem. He was ruthless. This was a man on a mission. But the Lord had other plans for him!

On the road to Damascus, Saul is struck down by a bright light. A voice calls out to him from the heavens, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” It is the Lord crying out to Saul. Struck blind, he is led to Damascus. For three days he is sightless. Ananias, a disciple of Christ learns in a dream to seek out the one who is blind. Going to where Saul is staying, he lays hands on him.  The scales fall from his eyes and he is baptized. Blind no longer, Saul, now called Paul, knows the Truth that is Jesus Christ and goes on to proclaim the Good News of salvation as revealed through his personal encounter with the risen Lord.

Apostle to the Gentiles, Paul’s missions took him far and wide—through the area around the Mediterranean Sea in the lands of Turkey, Greece, and Italy. St. Paul’s letters to the particular communities of faith he established and his personal letters written to members of said communities make up a major portion of the New Testament. They give us an indication of the struggles of the early Christian communities as they set down roots in cultures contrary to the ways and message of Jesus Christ.

I am always amazed as I read through the letters of St. Paul. The issues of which he writes—divisions among the worshipping communities, sexual immorality, promiscuity, the competition between athletics and practice of faith, the forming of strong families and the raising of children, and the relationships between men and women—are still the struggles of Christian communities around the world. St. Paul’s message is as fresh today as when he preached—and just as necessary.

As we remember St. Paul, let us take time to reflect on the courage, zeal, and conviction held by one whose life was radically transformed by an encounter with Christ. Know that through Christ, who empowers us with the Holy Spirit, we too can be effective voices in a world so desperately in search of Truth and happiness. Let us rejoice in knowing the Jesus can use each and every one of us—just as He did Paul—as instruments of His Divine Plan if we are but willing to let Him transform us!