We here at St. Cecilia’s parish are also urged to reflect upon this year of jubilee and draw deeply from the wealth of wisdom that flowed from the mouth and pen of St. Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit. His letters to the various Churches included in the Canon of Sacred Scripture continue to teach and guide the Church as they have done from the 1st. century AD to our present time. This wealth is at our fingertips and through this year we are exhorted by no less than the successor of St. Peter, Pope Benedict XVI to pick up and read this living word. Over the next few months we will study the life and writings of this spiritual giant who experienced a profound conversion in his own life and responded fully to the call of the Lord Jesus to be his witness to the ends of the world.

Who was St. Paul?

Historians put the birth of St. Paul somewhere between the years 7 and 10 AD so it is appropriate that this year should be chosen to celebrate the bimillennium of his birth at Tarsus (modern day Turkey). From the Acts of the Apostles and his letters we are provided with a wealth of detail about his life. More so than any other Apostle except St. Peter. He was raised a strict Jew and was in fact a Pharisee committed to a rigid observance of the law. He was proud of his Jewish roots. “ Circumcised on the eighth day, of the race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrew parentage, in observance of the law a Pharisee, in zeal persecuted the Church, in righteousness based on the law I was blameless.” (Philippians 3:5). He was also a Roman citizen of the empire and as such had special privileges which we read about in the Acts of the Apostles where he came into conflict with the local authorities. Following Pentecost and the rapid expansion of the followers of Jesus Christ, Saul as he was known being a Pharisee and violently opposed to this new sect began to persecute the followers of “The Way”. In Acts 7: 59-60 we first become aware of this man as he approves of the killing of St. Stephen the first martyr and undertakes a systematic persecution of the early Church.

The Acts of the Apostles and the letter's of St. Paul speak to us about his life and his conversion. The drama of his conversion and vision of Christ give us today a glimpse of God's power and love for even the most hardened sinner. Paul considers himself in this light and is profoundly aware of the Divine mercy of God reaching out to this man who is rushing headlong to destruction. Thinking that he is doing the work of God in imprisoning and destroying those who have given their lives to Christ.

He no doubt shared his testimony with St. Luke the author of Acts for there is a detailed description of what happened on the road to Damascus and the days which followed culminating in his rebirth through Baptism. For an example of a concise and powerful testimony read Acts 26: 12-23 where Paul himself gives his testimony before King Agrippa. You will find that it can be read in 90 seconds yet contains all the elements of testimony. His state before coming to Christ. The vision and call of Jesus to be his witness and his response to Christ's call.

Possibly because of the zeal to destroy the Church, Christ chose to confront Saul (his Jewish name) in this dramatic fashion by speaking to him audibly and appearing to him. Those with him also heard the voice and I wonder if they were also converted, although there is no confirmation of this. Here we have the reality of Christ's words in Matthew 25: 31-46 reminding us that whatever we do to the least of our brothers we do unto Christ. In persecuting the Church, Paul was persecuting Christ Jesus the Son of God.

God's plan for His Church unfolds before our eyes as we read of these events in history. How Ananias who is totally unaware of Paul's presence is instructed by the Lord to seek him out, even giving him the street address where he may be found. God leaves no detail hidden, and even though Ananias is naturally fearful, knowing the reputation of this man, the Lord is firm in his resolution to bring about Paul's physical Baptism and the removal of the scales covering his eyes.

We also during this year of St. Paul would do well to ask the Lord if there are scales of unbelief covering the eyes of our soul. Have we hardened our hearts to the Divine mercy of God choosing our self righteousness and even denial of sin in our lives. We may not be confronted in so dramatic a fashion as St. Paul but Jesus in the still voice of conscience calls us unto himself to recognize our need for God's mercy and forgiveness and like Paul embrace his merciful love and allow him to set us on the road to new life and fulfill the task that God has prepared for us before time began. Ephesians 1:3-6.

St. Paul, pray for us.