The Conversion of Saul

January 25^th is an unusual date in the history of the Church.  Normally, the church remembers saints on the death days, sometimes on birth days (like St John the Baptist), but this is the only day to commemorate a conversion experience.

A closer look at this conversion experience is needed to know why the Church holds this event in such great importance.  Reading the accounts in Acts, the famous Road to Damascus incident, “Saul. Saul, why do you persecute me?” ( Acts 9:4) as written by Luke, this is what comes to mind about the conversion of Saul.   The voice tells him, “ I am Jesus whom you persecute” ( Acts 9:5), and immediately he hears words that drives him for the rest of his life “ Get up,” (Acts 9:6)  But did his conversion, narrated by him no less than three times in Acts ( Acts 22, 24 and 26), happen only on the road to Damascus?

The genesis of this conversion experience of one of the most ardent Jews schooled under the great Gamaliel, some biblical scholars say started with the stoning of Stephen ( Acts 6 & 7), the first martyr of the Church.  Saul must have been there at Stephens passionate defence of the faith, and certainly when the crowd laid their cloaks at the feet of Saul before they proceeded to stone Stephen, shows that Saul was designated leader.  The prayer of Stephen to forgive them for what they were about to do, and the calm, radiant composure of Stephen as he faced death, certainly struck a chord in Saul.

Many of the subsequent and substantial writings of the converted Paul, bore testimony in some way or the other to the life of Stephen.

Was Stephen the only influence in the conversion of Saul?  Studying Acts, we see that Saul is on a journey away from his comfort zone- his familiar environs – into the unknown to persecute Christians, when this blinding light appears to him, and a voice that only he can hear.  He is in new and uncharted territory, maybe much like we may have experienced when we hear Him for the first time in a retreat or Mass.  The faith he thought he was defending all his life turns out to be something different. In the confused moments when he knows he has experienced the Light, he is aided on this journey by Brother Ananias’ prayers to remove the scales from his eyes ( Acts 9:10-19).  The role of the intercessory prayers of the people of Damascus, who knew that Saul was on his way to arrest them and persecute them must not be forgotten, according to some scripture scholars.  These prayers were heard. The three days of darkness that Saul experienced through fasting and prayer were one in which his inner eyes were opened for the first time and he could discern the true Light. The Living waters.

From that point on, there is no stopping this dynamo called Paul.  Being shipwrecked off the coast of Malta , and sheltering in a cave for months (one that has been visited by all the past three Holy fathers before Pope Leo), he commences his epic missionary travels and writings, contributing almost two thirds of the New Testament as we know it today with 13 letters.  His writing is personal and passionate, we can feel the hardship endured on the way, the various persecutions, abandonment by close ones , standing up on matters he felt important to the senior Peter and even displaying a tender feminine heart of love in Philemon.

Once Saul was converted into Paul, there was no looking back. It was a mission till the end of his life.

Trying to find an analogy in the Old Testament, the call of Samuel ( 1 Samuel 3:1-10, 19-20)  seems similar.  He could hear the Lord clearly once Eli directed him.

What example can we take from this conversion experience from our Christian lives?  Have we moved a bit out of our comfort zone and have we heard His Voice? Has someone helped us discern what His voice is telling us?   Have we been guilty of persecuting Him each time we speak ill of Priests, Religious and are scornful of the Sacraments of the Church, His Word and the teachings of the Church? Do we fast and pray too at times we need to discern His Will?

We must strive for the conversion experience which will set us on our own unique trajectories in our Christian lives.  One from which there is no turning back.

One of the biggest tragedies of our faith would have been if Saul heard the voice, and continued on his path, without transformation.  In listening to the Voice, he oriented his entire life to the Light.

As we must do too.

This prayer that Holy Father late Pope Francis said at St Paul’s Grotto, St Paul’s Basilica on an Apostolic  visit to Rabat, Malta on 3^rd April 2022,  are meaningful to take to heart:

Prayer in Saint Paul’s Grotto

God of mercy,
in your wondrous providence
you wished the Apostle Paul
to proclaim your love to the inhabitants of Malta,
who did not yet know you.
He preached your word to them
and he healed their infirmities.
Saved from shipwreck,
Saint Paul and his fellow travellers
found here to welcome them
pagan people of kindly heart,
who treated them with rare humanity,
recognizing that they were in need
of shelter, security and assistance.
No one knew their names,
their place of birth or their social status;
they knew only one thing:
that these were people in need of help.
There was no time for discussions,
for judgements, analyses and calculations:
it was the time to lend a helping hand:
they left their jobs, and did exactly that.
They lit a great fire,
to dry them and warm them.
They welcomed them with open hearts
And, together with Publius,
first in government and in mercy,
they gave them shelter.

Good Father,
grant us the grace of a kindly heart
that beats with love for our brothers and sisters.
Help us to recognize from afar those in need,
struggling amidst the waves of the sea,
dashed against the reefs of unknown shores.
Grant that our compassion
be more than empty words,
but instead light a bonfire of welcome,
that can dispel the memory of the tempest,
warm hearts and bring them together:
the fireplace of a house built upon rock,
the one family of your children,
sisters and brothers all.
You love them without distinction
and you desire that they may be one
with your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord,
through the power of the fire sent from heaven,
your Holy Spirit,
who burns away all enmity
and in the darkness of night lights the way
to your kingdom of love and peace.℟. Amen.