Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul the Apostle

Readings of the Day
RB: Ch 7:1-4 Humility
Mass: Ac 22:3-16 or Ac 9:1-22; Resp Ps 117 (Mk 16:15); Mk 16:15-18

A light from the sky suddenly flashed around him.

I enjoy the story of Paul's conversion as recorded in both readings from the Acts of the Apostles, especially as related in Ch 9 of the New Revised Standard Version translation, proclaimed at Vigils this morning. Paul, then known as Saul, goes from persecutor extraordinaire, 'breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord,' to Apostle extraordinaire 'proving that Jesus was the Messiah.' St Catherine of Siena says this about Paul: 'He was a wolf, but he became a lamb, a gracious vessel of love-and the fire with which Christ filled his vessel he carried through the whole world.' Pope Francis said this: 'Encountering Jesus on the road to Damascus radically transformed the life of St. Paul. Henceforth, for him, the meaning of life would no longer consist in trusting in his own ability to observe the Law strictly, but rather in cleaving with his whole being to the gracious and unmerited love of God.' Lord Jesus Christ, help us to be gracious vessels of love and cleave to you with our whole heart, our whole soul and all our strength. 

GO INTO THE WHOLE WORLD AND PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE. 

Christianity is not a collection of truths to be believed, of rules to be followed, or of prohibitions. Seen that way it puts us off. Christianity is a person who loved me immensely, who demands and asks for my love. Christianity is Christ.

(Saint Oscar Romero)

SAINT PAUL THE APOSTLE, PRAY FOR US.