25/01/2024

St Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus is among  the most important events in world history. In Jerusalem, he had not only guarded the clothes of those who had stoned St Stephen but had also taken an active part in harrying those who having seen the Risen Lord, had started to follow his way and preach his teaching.

St Paul was a fervent student of the Law. He had studied under Gamliel and his fellow students were the Rabbis who would be the foundation of the Judaism that paralleled the growth of Christianity after the destruction of the Temple.

Our God guides our minds and hearts if we open our selves to him. St Paul was more than a mind closed to the Resurrection he was an active denier who knew that IAMIAM was the only God and that Peter and the other Galileans were a blasphemous, ignorant riffraff. 

In 20 or so years after his conversion he was able to make his own these Father, Son and Holy Spirit inspired words of unknown authorship about Jesus.

       Who, though he was in the form of God,

     Did not regard being equal with God

     Something to be grasped after.

But he emptied himself

Taking on the form of a slave,

And coming in the likeness of humans.

And being found in appearance as a human

He humbled himself

Becoming obedient unto death— even death on a cross.

Therefore God highly exalted him

And bestowed on him the name

That is above every name,

That at the name of Jesus

Every knee should bow

Of those in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth.

And every tongue should confess

That Jesus Christ is Lord

To the glory of God the Father.

Dear Lord, help me to live each day as aware of you as was St Paul. Let me contain in my heart the true feelings of the first Christians. Your Chosen People have suffered much throughout history and continue to do much harm. The only  nation/community on earth that can contain your truth, mercy and glory by doing your will is the Mystical Body that has you as its head and heart and is composed of Mary and all the Saints. We can all choose only as an individual person to become part of that Body which is the Kingdom not of this world, the place which you have prepared for each one of us who is ready to pick up his cross and follow you.