25 Jan – Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul
St. Paul (3-65) was a Jewish Talmudic student and a Pharisee. He was a tent-maker by trade. Saul the Jew hated and persecuted Christians as heretical, even assisting at the stoning of St. Stephen the Martyr. On his way to Damascus to arrest another group of them, he was knocked to the ground, struck blind by a heavenly light, and given the message that in persecuting Christians, he was persecuting Christ. The experience had a profound spiritual effect on him, causing his conversion to Christianity. He was baptised, changed his name to Paul to reflect his new persona, and began travelling and preaching. He died a martyr for his faith.
- Patron Saint Index
Acts 22:3-16
Mk 16:15-18
“I even persecuted this Way to the death…”
When my daughter was thirteen, she read Les Miserables twice during the school holidays. When she returned to school, she decided she wanted to do a book review. We discussed our favourite characters and her reasons why surprised us.
Her favourite was Inspector Javert, one of the main characters in the story. (Warning: Spoiler Alert!)
Javier was born in prison, and he was exposed from a very young age to prisoners. Based on his experience, everyone who spent time in prison MUST be evil, and CANNOT have good within him. He was thus conflicted when he met Jean Valjean. He refused to believe that Valjean could be a good person, so Javier was relentless in his pursuit of Valjean.
When he discovers the good that Valjean has achieved in his life, Javert cannot reconcile this, and this conflict drives him to his tragic end.
I see Saul as very much like Javert (the main difference is that Saul’s story took place long ago, and Javert is a fictional character!).
Saul told his story best in today’s first reading; he studied under the best teachers and was “taught the exact observance of the Law of his ancestors.” With that, he persecuted many, sending both men and women to prison in chains. Ultimately, it was Saul’s blindness on his trip to Damascus that resulted in his conversion.
How many of us are trapped within our minds, views and ‘stories’ that prevent us from understanding and loving those around us? Are we being faithful followers of Jesus when go around with closed minds? Are our beliefs reason enough to judge and impose our opinions on others?
(Today’s OXYGEN by Paul Wee)
Prayer: Father God, help us be open to those around us. Help us be open to Your promptings and love, and allow us to continue to be guided by Your Spirit.
Thanksgiving: Thank You, Lord, for Your love; and for sending great apostles like Paul to guide and show us what Love means. Thank You for not leaving us to figure out challenges on our own.
OXYGEN 
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