"Saul or Paul?"

Today, as we celebrate the feast day of “The Conversion of St. Paul,” we need to reflect as to which are we at this point in time of our lives.

Saul was raised a Jew and followed zealously the law of God, according to his ancestors.  He persecuted the early Christians, followers of the Way.  He was also responsible for the death of the first Christian martyr, St. Stephen.  From what St. Paul tells us in the Acts of the Apostles, he was a big-time sinner.

Then, as Saul was on his way to Damascus, he sees a great light and hears, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?  He replies, “Who are you, sir?”…The reply was, “I am Jesus, the Nazorean, whom you are persecuting.  Saul is then told by Jesus to continue to Damascus.  A disciple of Christ named Ananias is told to go to Saul.  Ananias said, “The God of our ancestors designated you to know his will, to see the Righteous One, and to hear the sound of his voice; for you will be witness before all to what you have seen and heard.  Now, why delay?  Get up and have yourself baptized and your sins washed away, calling upon his name.”

Are we a Saul, still in the sinning mode, afraid to go to confession?  Have we seen a great light or even a flicker and have ignored it?  Have we heard our Lord calling us, but we refuse to heed Him?

As Saul’s sins were forgiven, Paul was told what to do and became one of the greatest apostles on earth.

We, as Paul, are being called to do the will of God.  Are we listening?  Do we see Christ in our brothers or sisters?  As Jesus said, “Whatsoever you do to the least of my brethren, you do unto me.”

As I tend to the needs of my husband, may I see Jesus in him.  Amen!!