January 25 - Conversion of St. Paul - Feast Saul was a Jew, born in Tarsus and brought up in Jerusalem. As a young man, he was very zealous for the Jewish law and traditions. He thought that the Christian way of life was something opposed to God and his law. Because of this, Saul persecuted the Christians with all his might. One day, Saul headed for Damascus with some men. He had permission to capture any Christians he could find in the city and bring them back to Jerusalem to be imprisoned and punished. Just before he got to the city, a bright light flashed around him and he fell to the ground. A voice called to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?” Saul was confused. He asked the voice, “Who are you, Sir?” The voice answered, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting.” “What do you want me to do?” Saul asked. Jesus told Saul to go to Damascus, where he would find out what he should do. At that moment, through the power of God, Saul received the gift to believe in Jesus. Weak and trembling, he reached out for help. His companions led him into Damascus. Now that he was blind he could really “see” the truth. And Jesus had come personally to meet him, to invite him to conversion. In Damascus, a Christian named Ananias stood before him and said, “Brother Saul, receive your sight back.” And Saul could see again! Ananias told Saul that God had chosen him to tell many people in many lands about Jesus. Saul was baptized, and started to live the life of a Christian. He used his Roman name, Paul, from then on because he had been chosen by God to go to the people who were not Jewish and tell them about Jesus. St. Paul traveled all over the world, preaching the Good News. He led countless people to Jesus. He worked and suffered. His enemies tried to kill him several times, but nothing could stop him. When Paul was old and tired, he was once again put in prison and sentenced to die. Still St. Paul was happy to suffer and even die for Christ. This great apostle wrote wonderful letters to the Christians. They are in the Bible. These letters, called epistles, are read often during the Liturgy of the Word at Mass. The story of St. Paul’s conversion is found in the Acts of the Apostles, in chapters 9, 22, and 26. For more about St. Paul, see June 29, the Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul. ❦ St. Paul’s conversion was very important for the life of the Church. But Jesus calls us just as he called Paul on the road to Damascus. He invites us to give up doing whatever keeps us from coming closer to him. Let’s ask St. Paul to help us. Sent via iMissal
Posted on: Sat, 25 Jan 2014 15:11:55 +0000
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