Word to the Wise
Saturday, January 25, 2020 - Jan. 25 - The Conversion of St. Paul, Apostle
[Acts 22:3-16 or Acts 9:1-22 and Mark 16:15-18]"Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" I replied, "Who are you,sir?" And he said, 'I am Jesus the Nazorean whom you are persecuting." [Acts]
Aside from Jesus himself, it could be argued that St. Paul is the most significant figure in the history of Christianity. His writings are the oldest New Testament literature that we possess and. in many ways, the most influential. His conversion was a turning point for Christianity, which, largely because of his efforts, went from being a small group of "messianic" Jews in Jerusalem to being a movement of faith that embraced all the known world at the time.
Scholars write big books about St. Paul, his writings and his missionary methodology. He began his ministry after a personal conversion experience from being a "bounty hunter for Christians" to being a foremost preacher about Jesus. When his preaching understandably aroused fierce opposition from his fellow Jews, he made the pivotal decision to address himself to non-Jews, which broadened the scope of Christianity beyond Jerusalem to the whole Roman empire!
His influence down through the ages has been enormous. His Letter to the Romans, especially Romans 1:17, sparked Luther's resistance. HIs First Letter to the Corinthians (13:1-13) contains the passage read at thousands of weddings every year, "Love is patient, love is kind...etc. His theology of baptism and the Body of Christ is the foundation of that sacrament and of our own mission as disciples of Jesus. The list could go on and on.
St. Paul continues to influence us through the continual reading of his letters both publicly and privately. We celebrate today not only his missionary efforts and writings, but the Lord's decision to give Christianity a "shot in the arm" through his conversion AMEN