Monday, January 25, 2021

 Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul the Apostle

(Acts 22:3-16; Mark 16:15-18)

Ending the Week of Christian Unity on the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul may give the impression that Orthodox, Protestant, and Catholic Christians hope to convert one another.  But this, of course, is not at issue in the ecumenical project.  The occasion is nevertheless appropriate because all people must undergo continual conversion if they are to become holy.  The Shaker song “Tis a Gift to Be Simple” expresses this necessity well: “… by turning, turning we come round right.”

Paul’s life underwent various conversions.  The most dramatic turning is recorded in today’s first reading where Paul is changed from a zealous Jew to a follower of Christ.  Another turning point comes with the attempt to preach logically to the Athenians at the Areopagus.  Rebuffed, he decides that from then on, he will preach only Christ crucified.  Perhaps another conversion takes place as Paul stops preaching to Jews in synagogues and starts talking to pagan clients as he plies his tent-making trade.

Most of us would do well to attempt the following simple conversion.  Rather than refrain from talking about religion with others because of the differences it arouses, we should declare what God has done in our lives.  We might also ask our associates to tell about their faith experiences.  Also, sharing prayer as we break bread and perhaps again at the end of an evening will weave webs of mutual respect.  In these ways and, of course, with God’s grace, eventual unity will take place.

Friday, January 25, 2019

Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle

(Acts 22:3-16; Mark 16:15-18)

Today ends the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.  “What’s that?” many people ask, even people who come to church regularly.  The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity was established over a hundred years ago.  It addresses the contradiction of Jesus’ church being divided up as if it were an indigenous territory that was parceled in a land rush.  In the Gospel of John Jesus prays: “’…that all of them may be one as You, Father, are in me, and I am in you’” (John 17:21).  As it now stands, Christians are no more one than the colors of the rainbow.

The Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul closes the week of prayer.  It is worthwhile to ponder why.  Of course, Paul is universally admired.  Protestants see his insight of “salvation by faith in Christ” as particularly critical to Christian self-understanding, which it is.  Catholic priests and sisters have made Paul their model in the profession of celibacy.  But a deeper reason explains the choice of Paul as the patron of unity.  As the name of the feast indicates, Paul underwent conversion.  He changed his mind and heart.  He was the persecutor of Christ who became his greater promoter.  Something like Paul’s conversion must take place in Christians if there is ever to be unity.

The conversion called for here is akin to the change of heart preached every Lent.  We must humble ourselves before God and one another.  We must not think of ourselves as better than others because we are traditional Catholics or “everyone’s welcome” Protestants.  Rather we must listen to Christ speaking through one another.  And we must bend to accept one another as a brother or sister.  We cannot compromise fundamental principles for a superficial unity.  But we can establish partnerships that transcend differences.

Thursday, January 25, 2018

Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle

(Acts 22:3-16; Mark 16:15-18)

In one sense St. Paul’s “conversion” was not much of a change.  He never converted from being bad to being good.   He went from zealously working for God as a Jewish inquisitor to zealously working for God as a Christian missionary.  There certainly was, however, a change of perspective.  He previously perceived Jesus Christ as his enemy.  After his encounter with Christ, Paul recognized him as his Lord.  We should see ourselves being called to a similar conversion.

Catholics have looked down on Christians of other traditions – Protestants, Evangelicals, even Orthodox – as lost souls.  They have thought that it almost impossible that any non-Catholic find eternal life.  Protestants especially have harbored like doubts about Catholics.  They considered Catholics as superstitiously relying on the sacraments rather than making every effort to live righteously.  The “Week of Christian Unity,” which ends today, affords all Christian communities opportunity to view one another more fairly.

When we do so, we will find differing strengths and weaknesses. Many Protestants have a profound knowledge of Scripture with which we come to know Christ.  The Orthodox have retained an exalted sense of God as transcendent with power and majesty over all.  Catholics have the pope, the primary sign of the apostolic faith and succession.  We need all these values to find salvation among those who make rock stars or athletes their gods and satisfying sensual desire as their chief hope.

Friday, January 25, 2013

Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul the Apostle

(Acts 22:3-16; Mark 16:15-18)

Ending the Week of Christian Unity on the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul may give the impression that Orthodox, Protestant, and Catholic Christians hope to convert one another. But this, of course, is not at issue in the ecumenical project. The occasion is nevertheless appropriate because all people must undergo continual conversion if they are to become holy. The Shaker song “Tis a Gift to Be Simple” expresses this necessity well: “… by turning, turning we come round right.”

Paul’s life underwent various conversions. The most dramatic turning is recorded in today’s first reading where Paul is changed from a zealous Jew to a radical Christian. Another turning point comes with the catastrophe of trying to preach logically to the Athenians at the Areopagus. Rebuffed, he decides that from then on, he will preach only Christ crucified. Perhaps another conversion takes place as Paul stops preaching to Jews in synagogues and starts talking to pagan clients as he plies his tent making trade.

Most of us would do well to attempt the following simple conversion. Rather than refrain from talking about religion among friends and family because of the differences that the topic arouses, we should declare what God has done in our lives and ask our associates to tell about their faith experiences. Also, sharing prayer as we break bread and perhaps again at the end of an evening will weave webs of mutual respect and, with God’s grace, eventual unity.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, apostle

(Acts 22:3-16; Mark 16:15-18)

In introducing his new mysteries of the rosary, Blessed John Paul II spoke of the Transfiguration of the Lord being the primordial mystery of light. At this transcendent experience Jesus’ disciples previewed the glory of the resurrection. Saul, Jesus’ persecutor, has a similar vision of the Lord in today’s reading from Acts.

The passage does not say that Saul sees anything more than light. However, it indicates that the brilliance of the light is so overwhelming that it blinds Saul for an extended period of time. The light has spiritual as well as physical effects. Along with the accompanying voice, it reveals to Saul that he has been wrongly persecuting Jesus’ followers. It also elicits an all-consuming appeal. Saul will not rest until he sees that light again in eternity.

The story of St. Paul’s conversion gives us consolation and hope. Paul, of course, dominates the revelation of Jesus Christ, at least in terms of the number of works in the New Testament. His writings indicate that he was so intelligent, astute, and truthful that we feel secure in accepting their message of salvation. They also move us to look forward, like Paul, to seeing the light of Christ. That will both clear up all our questions about the mystery of Jesus and give us perfect bliss.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, apostle

(Acts 22:3-16; Mark 16:15-18)

Did Paul actually undergo a conversion? The question may sound silly today when we are celebrating just that, but students of the Bible have asked it seriously. They note that there is no change in Paul’s personal behavior. He does not, for example, give up drinking or come to scorn his Jewish roots. Rather he remains avid about religion although he will admit that being Jewish cannot compare with knowing Jesus Christ.

Paul’s zeal makes him capable of accomplishing so much. He will not only fulfill Jesus’ mandate to proclaim the gospel to everyone but also encourage those whom he has evangelized with sound pastoral letters. He becomes the consummate activist with a life completely given to Christ and thus rightly terminating in martyrdom.

Such a model may scare us. “Do I want to give myself over so completely?” we may ask. But let us keep two considerations in mind. First, although Christ wants us to tell others about him, he does not call the vast majority of us to put our heads on the chopping block. Second, Christ calls each of us by name as sure as he calls, “Saul, Saul,” in the first reading today. In other words, he loves us and will care for us as we make little sacrifices for him.

Monday, January 25, 2010

Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul

(Acts 22:3-16; Mark 16:15-18)

The other day it was reported that a young baseball player with ample potential was giving up the sport to study for the priesthood. The article marveled that a person would forfeit the opportunity to earn millions of dollars for what it termed as “a calling.” The young man says that baseball is “only a game” implying that his calling holds much deeper meaning.

In a way this baseball player’s story resembles Paul’s in the first reading today. Both are called to change their respective courses in life. From ferreting out Christians, Paul is mandated by Jesus to carry on his mission. It would be hard to overestimate the sacrifices that Paul will make as Jesus’ preacher. In one of his letters he lists the brushes with death that he has undergone. More than that, perhaps, are the discomforts and the rejection he endured daily to carry the gospel to far off lands.

We should ask “why?” What moves people to make such sacrifices. The motive seems to be more than ambition or an ideal that they want to see realized. Most probably it is a love relationship with the Lord who takes over not only the mind but the heart. The baseball player wants to shift his whole attention to Jesus so that he might know him completely and then offer him his whole self. Paul does just that, and Jesus returns the affection by making himself Paul’s consolation in every trial.