Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo, Bishop
St. Paul fascinates me.
He was raised a fervent Jew. He sat at the feet of the famous rabbi, Gamaliel, in preparation to become a rabbi, too. He was learned in the ways of the Pharisees and embraced the Law so much that he approved the stoning of those who disregarded the Law.
How was it, then, that being bucked off a horse on the way to arresting Christians in Damascus ultimately led him to convert to the very group he persecuted?
Did Saul, for example, begin to question if the stoning of Stephen (done in accord with the Law) was really right in the eyes of God? How did he interpret God’s cure of his blindness through the ministry of a Christian (Ananias)? When Saul (now Paul) met with St. Peter, did the apostle teach him Jesus’ two-fold commandment of love of God and love of neighbor? What did Paul learn from watching and listening to St. Barnabas?
Scripture tells me that St. Paul suffered much for his conversion: from Jews (some of whom he personally knew), from Gentiles who did not want to believe in the Way, and from Christians (some of whom he personally knew) in the churches he founded. He was martyred for the faith. His experiences were truly deep and life-changing.
Someday I hope to have a heart-to-heart conversation with St. Paul.
Reflection by Br. Jacob Kubajak, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections