Today we reflect on that life-changing moment when Saul the persecutor of Christians became Paul the loyal apostle of Jesus
Reflections on the readings for the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, Apostle (January 25, 2022): ACTS 22:3-16; PS 117:1-2; MK 16:15-18
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
Only Jesus Christ, through His life, death and resurrection mattered to Paul. And he determined to share his faith with all he met as he journeyed throughout the Mediterranean area.
St. Paul the Apostle was the most important early Christian missionary and the author of letters that make up a good portion of the New Testament. He also greatly influenced the viewpoint of the Church in a number of lasting ways. However, on this feast celebrating his conversion we consider the particular event that transformed his heart and soul. In the first reading today, he hear him give an explanation about the person he had once been -- and the person he had now became. “Paul addressed the people in these words: ‘I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city. At the feet of Gamaliel I was educated strictly in our ancestral law and was zealous for God, just as all of you are today. I persecuted this Way to death’” (Acts 22:3-4). Paul proceeds to tell them what happened to him on the road to Damascus where he had been planning to have people arrested because they embraced Jesus as the Redeemer of all. As Saul, he revered God, now, as Paul, he also embraced His Son with his whole being. His life’s commitment now was to serve Christ and spread the Good News of salvation.
Only Jesus Christ, through His life, death and resurrection mattered to Paul. And he determined to share his faith with all he met as he journeyed throughout the Mediterranean area. Despite incredible hardships, he persevered in caring for and guiding those whom he had called to their own conversion. St. Catherine of Siena described the life and efforts of “that dear preacher Paul. He was a wolf, but became a lamb, a gracious vessel of love and the fire with which Christ filled his vessel he carried through the whole world. He uprooted vice from Christians and planted virtue in them; unbelievers he drew away from error and unbelief, and offered them the light of faith.” We, too, can offer others the light of faith by our example of love and service in our daily lives.
Suggested missionary action: Let us pray to St. Paul asking his intercession for all the missionaries of the Church today and the countless men, women, and children they serve. We can also contribute to their efforts by remembering the Pontifical Mission Societies with our material support.