The universal Church celebrates today the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, a man whose life gives great hope. I have always felt a closeness towards Saint Paul since we share the same name, but the true source of this closeness is the hope he instills in me. An encounter with the risen Christ changed the course of this man’s life. He was transformed from someone who persecuted Christians into one of the greatest apostles of Christianity.
We learn in the Acts of the Apostles that as a Jewish rabbi, Saul was in charge of the first Christian persecutions in Jerusalem. Saint Stephen, the first martyr, was stoned to death under his guard. On the way to Damascus to lead a new persecution, he was surrounded by a great light from heaven and he heard a voice say, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” The voice identified itself as Jesus and ordered him to rise and to enter Damascus. Saul was left blind. Once in Damascus, he was approached by Ananias, an old man whom Jesus sent to Saul to baptize him and help him regain his sight.
Saul changed his name to Paul and began the evangelization of the ancient world. After founding several Christian communities, writing letters to them, preaching the Gospel and spending time in prison, he was taken to Rome where he was martyred in AD 67. His tomb immediately became a pilgrimage site, one that can still be visited today.
Saint Paul gives us hope. If it’s possible for a man who persecuted and killed disciples of Christ to become one of the greatest apostles, then nothing is impossible for God. There is no sin too sinful, nor darkness too dark for the mercy of God. The life of Saint Paul confirms this. May the prayers of this great saint help us to trust in God and to live always rejoicing in His mercy.
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