Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Conversion of Saint Paul

In honor of today's raucous Feast, I share this excerpt from St. John Chrysostom on St. Paul.
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2 comments:

  1. beads2rosariesJanuary 27, 2011 at 12:40 PM

    Reflecting my vision of the conversion of St Paul on the 25th of this month, I see a great leader – fallen on the ground and blinded by the Light. How often as a Christian people do we fall to the ground blinded by our own sinfulness? Perhaps, not a physical fall but a mental or emotional fall. Conversely, how often do we fall to the ground blinded by the light shinning from our Savior? Sometimes, we fall because of both in the same trip downward which can feel as if it happens in slow motion as we try to grasp a solid foundation.

    St John Chrysosotom reflects on the fall where Christ changed the mindset of Saul and transformed him into Paul – a person of great exuberance in preaching the Gospel of the Lord. Helpless, surrounded by darkness and void of food or drink Saul waits three days. Perhaps in this time, Saul asked the question many pose to our Heavenly Father – is this the love of Christ which I have heard so much about?

    The love of Christ is just this scenario. It is the encounter of him while we are experiencing the worst of the human condition whether from others or what we inflict upon ourselves. Let us find a deeper understanding and ability to share Jesus Christ and embrace the fall to the ground transforming it into new opportunities to be loved by God. This transformation can be allowing the healing power of the Church to offer the laying on of hands in the sacrament of Reconciliation similar to Ananias’ offering from which St Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit. What can we have but joy knowing that we are capable of loving God free from sin and being open hearted to rise in the joy of the Light to tell others the Good News.

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  2. Dr. TomJanuary 27, 2011 at 4:48 PM

    Very lovely reflection on the same feast. Thank you, beads...

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