Homily – January 25, 2010 – The Conversion of St. Paul

+ Today we celebrate the familiar event of the conversion of St. Paul. It was one of the most dramatic conversion experiences in Church history. It was considered such not only because of the manner in which it happened, but also the range of effect that it had on other people: all other people. Saul was a well-educated young Jewish man who wanted nothing other than to uphold and defend his Jewish roots in the face of this "new Way" that arose surrounding the life and death of a fellow Jew: Jesus Christ. Saul, at that point was not graced to see "what was what" – and so he went so far as to persecute the very first Christians; having them dragged from their homes and ill-treated. But then one day God decided to convince Saul in a very unforgettable way that he was displeased with what he was doing, and that he had other plans for Saul's enthusiasm. And so, he saw to it that Saul was blinded by the Great Light of Grace: the grace of the Holy Spirit, stopped quite literally in his tracks, made dependent on others for his well-being, temporarily, and then given the opportunity to respond to grace-calling and knocking on the door of his soul. And Saul responded rightly. He opened his mind and heart to the presence of God and his Spirit; he entered into a new relationship with the person of the Risen Lord Jesus which was real and unmistakable. And from then on, he fulfilled his true vocation of being an Apostle to the Gentiles. His name was changed to Paul and he became a Teacher to the Gentiles that all are to be united in Christ (as many members form one body), and that the new law of love and service to one another and to all was the hallmark of God-like, God-pleasing living; and that the Holy Spirit was to be the guiding force and strength behind all Christian planning, design, and action.

Paul founded various communities of "believers in Jesus" and his activity of doing so and correspondences with them became an actual part of New Testament Scripture. As Paul was sent, so we are sent at the end of each Mass we attend to bear fruit that will last by our acts of charity and service! May we, with all Christians, proclaim the Gospel to every creature and encourage belief in God, who can reward their belief by salvation and an assured place in a heavenly homeland.

Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.