Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle
(Acts 22:3-16; Mark 16:15-18)
C.S. Lewis was raised in the Church of Ireland. At fifteen, however, he become an
atheist. His disbelief was spurned by
the annihilation of World War I. Later,
under the Influence of friends, he reexamined what he had given up. As a result, Lewis became one of the greatest
apostles of modern times.
Lewis’ conversion resembles that of the great apostle, St.
Paul. A Pharisee by training, Paul could
not tolerate Christianity’s flexibility regarding aspects of the Law. Then Jesus showed him the light as today’s
readings describes the event. The Law is
of great importance, but it is not greater than Jesus, the Son of God. In him, who is both human and divine, the Law
is resolved in love. As Jesus gave his
very life for them, his followers make sacrifices for the good of others.
Every human life has ordeals and struggles. Only with love can we negotiate them with
integrity. With perfect love trials
become joyful experiences because they join us closer to Christ. Like St. Paul and C.S. Lewis we need
conversion. We must give ourselves to
Christ so that the little love that we have may blossom.
