Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, Apostle

Today's Mass Readings

Whose Horse?

Have you noticed that many paintings and icons of the Conversion of St. Paul depict the murderous man with a horse? Caravaggio did two paintings of the subject around 1601. Both include a horse amid dramatic lighting and emotive figures. In traditional and modern icons, a horse is very often seen standing or reclining near the scene of Saul’s pivotal encounter with Jesus, the persecuted yet risen savior-messiah.

But did you notice that there is no mention of a horse in the biblical story—in either account? (see Acts 9 and 22) Funny how it got there. Even funnier—or fitting—that the arrogant, pretentious Pharisee named Saul got knocked off his high horse, so to speak, when he met the meek and mild Jesus, the one he was persecuting.

Even though the stately four-legged animal is not mentioned in the sacred word, sacred tradition has it there in the sacred image. And there is often spiritual truth to be found in the image of a biblical scene or of a saintly figure. In the Eastern Christian tradition, meditation on the word of God was supported by prayerful gazing upon sacred icons. This kind of prayer is catching on in the West.

Word and image: a pair that is often overlooked or taken for granted. Their combination can be a powerful means of evangelization when presented well and used appropriately. Our liturgies and churches are full of words and images, both literary and visual, that serve to support our faith in and love of God.

For Today: Find an image of the Conversion of St. Paul and sit with it, as you would with your daily devotional. Gaze upon it prayerfully with the intention of looking for a spiritual truth or insight. Invite God to speak to you through the sacred image. Is that your horse?

Reflection by Br. Luke Kral, OSB