The Conversion Of St. Paul, Feast

Acts 22:3-16
Mark 16:15-18

CONVERSION AND TAKING ACTION.

What was Saul’s background and how he get converted? In the Acts of the Apostles, Paul himself tells us that he is “a Pharisee, born of Pharisees” (Acts 23:6) and “zealous for God” (Acts 22:3) studied under Gamaliel. It made sense, given his culture and training, that he would defend the Jewish tradition in which he was raised against those who followed “the Way.”

They were, after all, a dangerous sect that was threatening his ancestral “law.”Paul’s single-minded fidelity to his culture and training makes me wonder, what does it mean for each of us to be a product of our culture? Like Paul, what ancestral “law” might we be clinging to that the Lord is inviting us beyond?
What social custom affects your Christian living?

Fortunately for Paul, Jesus intervenes directly, telling him precisely who he is persecuting: “I am Jesus the Nazorean whom you are persecuting” (Acts 2:8).  By persecuting those who followed “the Way,” Paul was persecuting Jesus directly. We’ve all heard talk of “Road to Damascus” experiences where a person undergoes a dramatic conversion experience as a result of a direct and overwhelming experience of the divine.  After such a conversion experience, the person is irreversibly altered.  

A deeper intimacy with God compels new actions and a new way of life. Is it any wonder that Ananias’ first directive to Paul after he regains his sight is “Get up and have yourself baptized”?But what about us?  Some of us may have dramatic experiences similar to Paul’s, but I suspect for most of us it is a bit more subtle. Paul’s experience still has a lot to offer us today as we work in our own lives to discern where Jesus might be inviting us.

In the face of this reality, one might wonder, how we might offer our hearts anew, asking God for the gift of conversion, so that our actions and lives grow ever closer to sharing the joys and sorrows of the crucified of today. How might we all? And what kind of world would it be if we did? We must seek the help of the Holy Spirit for he directs the works of the Church trusting the new ways he wants us to bear witness to our faith in Christ.

As in the case of St Paul, may God’s love and mercy for us remain ever special, and may we forever be a special instrument in his hands. May we not be abandoned vessels.

Fr Joseph Osho