Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, January 25, 2007

Scripture: Acts 22:3-16. 9:1-22.Psalm 117:1-2. Mark 16:15-18:

When I was in Prep school with the Marianists I was near the community of
the Gray Franciscans at Graymore. It was they who promoted and made me an
ardent advocate of Church Unity Octave. Today we are ending the Octave
with the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul. How powerful a person he was
is probably known better today by Jews and Christians than in his own time!
He changed the whole world in bringing Christianity to the Nations or the
Gentiles--our ancestors. His call like that of the Baptist was to be a
light shining in the darkness for the Gentiles and the glory of his people
Israel. Paul once converted preaches first to his own people in the
synagogue, then when he is called to go the Gentiles, he preaches to them
that Jesus is the Messiah. He has success with the Gentiles and then
becomes the Apostle to them. Luke realized how important Paul is and the
second part of his Acts of the Apostles is all about him. On three dfferent
sections Luke returns to the Conversion of Paul: Acts 9:1-19a, 22:1-16,
26:9-18. Paul sees his acceptance of Jesus as a "revelation" of grace
given to him. The grace gives him creative insight into the Mystery of
Christ according to Fr. J. Fitzmyer, S.J. and "the revelation impressed
Paul, first of all, with the unity of divine action for the salvation of
all men which is manifest in both the Old and New Dispensations. Second,
that vision taught him the soteriological value of the death and
resurrection of Jesus the Messiah. Third, that revelation impressed Paul
with a new vision of salvation history." (Jerome Biblical Commentary,
79:13, page 803). Fitzmyer is reluctant to call Paul's embracing
Christianity a conversion; for him it is a "revelation." From all of the
numerous references to this experience we see that Luke and Paul himself
acknowledge it as a special gift from God whether it be a conversion or a
revelation. This occurs after Paul had been persecuting the followers of
Jesus in the new sect named after him (see Acts 11:26). During the Octave
many Christians have been praying for unification among themselves and
their churches. I am called to relate to them as brothers and sisters in
Christ and to strengthen them and myself in the pursuit of holiness,
justice, and peace---a triad that is necessary for Peace in the World. Our
common faith in Jesus Christ and in the Bible leads us to be concerned
about the poor, the marginal, homeless, and the oppressed. I pray that
through the intercession of St. Paul and all of the Saints that we may work
at bringing the Good News to the people just mentioned by ourselves
becoming who we are called to be-- the People of God. I pray for
organizations such as Bread for the World, St. Vincent de Paul Societies,
Goodwill, and the Salvation Army and for those in academics and campus
ministry who teach and encourage us to become involved in services to the
poor and the marginalized. In today's world the only hands Jesus and God
have are ours. Yes, St. Paul, pray for all of us whether we are Jew,
Muslim, or Christian. Amen.