The Conversion of St Paul

“Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” He asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.” Acts 9:1-9

After this event Paul was baptized by a Christian disciple named Ananias and regained his sight. Through Baptism Paul truly said, “yes” to God. On 25 January we remember the conversion of St Paul (whose Jewish name was Saul). Paul had been a persecutor of the early Christians. On the road to Damascus the Risen Lord spoke to him and the grace of God touched him.

“For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me has not been in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them—though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.  Whether then it was I or they, so we proclaim and so you have come to believe.” 1 Cor 15: 9 -11

 

St Paul’s conversion is an important event in Christianity.  St Paul converted many people, both Jews and Gentiles. His Epistles form a large part of the New Testament Scriptures.

In this season of the Epiphany, may we all be touched by the grace of God and may the truth of the Risen Lord be revealed to all those around us, especially those with hardened hearts.  Let us be inspired by the story of St Paul’s conversion never to give up hope on anyone for redemption or fundamental change. St Paul, who had been one of the greatest persecutors of Christian’s, became one of its greatest Apostles. Let us never lose hope for anyone. Everything is possible with the Lord!