THE WORD BECAME FLESH

Tuesday of the first week in the Ordinary 2022

Acts 22:3-16 or 9:1-22

Ps 117

Mark 16:15-18

The Feast of the Conversion of St Paul, Apostle

Why do you persecute me?

Dear friends in Christ, today we celebrate the conversion of St Paul—the great persecutor who became a great Apostle. In his story, Jesus proved he remained with his church as promised. He had said, Whatsoever you do to the least of my brethren, you do to me.

From the First Reading (Acts 22:3-16) it is clear that Paul never met Jesus in person, but must have heard so much about him from the Christians he was persecuting. As a young man, he studied under Gamaliel, one of the greatest teachers of his time. Growing up he was known as Saul. He was born in Tarsus where he got his Roman citizenship and of Jewish parents—so he was Hebrew as well. Aside his mother tongue of Aramaic, it is very clear that Paul also knew Hebrew, Greek and Latin. Having studied under Gamaliel, he became a zealous Pharisee. Though a tent maker, he sought to “purify” the religion of his people by getting rid of Christianity. He therefore persecuted the Church; he approved and was present at the stoning of Stephen. He was the fiercest persecutor of the Church of his time, but as the mercy of God would have it, he also became the most zealous preacher after his conversion, and did all in his power to spread the Christian message and religion everywhere. 

How did that happen?

Paul in his own words tells us, ”I persecuted this way to death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women…As I made my journey and drew near to Damascus, about noon, a great light from heaven suddenly shone about me. And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ And I answered, ‘Who are you Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’” Note that Jesus did not ask why he was persecuting his followers but, “Why are you persecuting me?” This is a powerful reminder, that when a Christian suffers on account of his faith, it is Jesus who suffers. 

This episode marked a turning point in the life of Saul and he became an ardent follower of Jesus, taking on difficult and dangerous journeys, to plant Christianity everywhere. He considered himself, “…unfit to be called an Apostle, because I persecuted the Church of God.” (1Cor. 15:9) He saw his conversion as a work of grace and the mercy of God.

Paul’s efforts resulted in the formation of Christian Communities in many Gentile areas. He wrote most of the letters in the New Testament and was a greater influence on Christianity than many of those who even knew Jesus. 

What is God calling you to do? Do you consider that assignment too challenging? When the Lord gives you something to do, he provides the means and the grace. All he leaves to you, is to figure out how best to achieve it, in your own situation. No matter what your past has been, you can begin anew. Make a commitment to Jesus today.

Let us pray: Lord, let the life of your servant Paul inspire us to do your will in our time. Give us the courage to go on the mission you have assigned us and crown our efforts with success. Amen. 

+Remain blessed