Word to the Wise
Friday, April 23, 2010 - Friday in the Third Week of Easter
[Acts 9:1-20 and John 6:52-59]On his journey, as he was nearing Damascus, a light from the sky flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" He said, "Who are you, Sir?" The reply came, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting."
Two of the most important moments in the history of the Church are Pentecost and the conversion of St. Paul! Some historians and theologians argue, with considerable truth, that St. Paul is a "second founder" of Christianity! His decision to concentrate his ministry on those who were not Jewish and his mission trips to found communities of Christians around the Mediterranean (even if he wasn't the only missionary) changed the shape of Christianity from a sect of Judaism to a movement with its own identity. Today's first scripture is the first of three accounts of the conversion experience in the Acts of the Apostles. [cf 22:3-16 and 26:2-18]. Two important things stand out in the three stories. First, what happened to Paul was not a vision. It was an encounter with the Risen Lord. For this reason, Paul claimed to be an apostle in the same way as the Twelve, even if he respected the authority of that group. He was not simply converted, he was called! The second point is the way in which Jesus phrased his words, "Why are you persecuting ME?" Saul thought he was simply doing his duty and rooting out heretics! Jesus makes that action a personal attack on himself! Paul's theology of the Body of Christ reflects this element of his call. All the baptized are identified with the person of Jesus and an attack on any of them is an attack on Jesus. [1 Cor. 12:12-27] Centuries later, theologians would speak of "Petrine" ministry (the leadership of Peter and the Twelve and their successors, the bishops) and "Pauline" ministry (those who minister in virtue of their own faith and call). Given that Paul's letters were made part of the inspired Word of God, we realize the importance of his conversion and the shape he gave to our understanding of Jesus' death and resurrection and our place in God's plan. AMEN
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