Conversion Of St Paul

[cappie]

The story of Saul of Tarsus in the Acts of the Apostles is a dramatic event to be sure! We know the rest of the story. Paul, the former Saul, the well-pedigreed Jewish student of the Law, becomes the vibrant Apostle to the Gentiles.

The drama of the entrance to Damascus is all about conversion. In Saul/Paul’s case the conversion was immediate and historically decisive. He was baptized; he preached in the Synagogue at Damascus; he recognized and proclaimed vigorously that Jesus was the Son of God.

Conversion is obviously the dramatic moment in Paul’s life and a turning point in the history of Christianity, but is also the common experience of each one of us. We must continually allow divine grace to form us, to convert us, to purify us into a perfect offering acceptable to the Lord.

For most of us the conversion, the turnabout, is more gradual and much less dramatic. Conversion is a process and a process takes time and effort to be properly effected; it is not a once and for all situation, it is a lifetime project. A dramatic conversion story like Paul’s invites each of us to reflect on where we are along the line of that process, and how we might enhance or open ourselves to enhancement of that most important project of our lives.

Ultimately our conversion has to do with relationship: the relationship with Jesus the Christ, the object of our Christian faith. Our belief is not primarily in a doctrine, a formula or a system, but in a person, the Lord Jesus who reveals Himself to us.

Evangelization is central to our faith. For that very reason every Celebration of the Eucharist terminates with a mission, a sending forth, and a mandate to go out with the good news. It is the mandate, repeated in the Gospel today, that requests submission and expects obedience.

Paul tells Timothy: “Do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord. Avail yourself of the strength that comes from God.” This Timothy always tries to take that teaching to heart. The Word of God is not necessarily politically correct. Paul describes it as a sword which reaches the heart of the matter. Indeed, he also tells us to preach the Gospel in and out of season. It is a challenge and yet with every challenge comes the grace to meet it.

Our Catholic faith only grows when we consciously and conscientiously share it with others. Christ will look at each one of us with his merciful eyes at our individual judgment and ask what efforts we made during the course of our lifetime to invite people into communion with Jesus Christ and his Church. In the end, the Lord will ask us: “Did you love me? To whom did you preach the Good News? How many people did you bring with you?”

[phatcatholic]

Amen! Thank you for your post, cappie.

[Chamomile]

Yes, thanks for the post



[quote name='cappie' timestamp='1295908107' post='2203943']
Our Catholic faith only grows when we consciously and conscientiously share it with others.
[/quote]



This is the 2nd time I've heard this today! Something I obviously need to take note of and can vouch for.