Conversion of Saint Paul

Biography

This is what the Church proclaims when dedicating a day of the liturgical cycle to the commemoration of such a unique anniversary. Saul, born in Tarsus, a Hebrew, a rigorous Pharisee, well trained at the feet of Gamaliel, very passionate, had already taken part in the stoning of the deacon Stephen, saving the executioners' clothes "to throw stones with everyone's hands", as Saint Augustine sharply interprets. With a violent spirit, he trained as a good hunter to hunt his prey. With indomitable ardor he persecuted the disciples of Jesus. But Saul believes he is persecuting, and he is the one persecuted. While he was on his way to Damascus in pursuit of Jesus' disciples, a voice surrounded him, he fell to the ground and heard the voice of Jesus: "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" Saul asked: "Who are you, Lord?" Jesus answered him: "-I am Jesus whom you persecute. -And what should I do, Lord?" Rarely has such a brief dialogue transformed a person's life so much. When Saul got up he was blind, but the Light of Christ was already shining in his soul. "The glass of ignominy had become the glass of election", the persecutor became an apostle, the Apostle par excellence. From now on "the road to Damascus, the fall from the horse" will remain as a symbol of all conversion. Perhaps never has a human event had such dazzling results. The man remained with his outbursts, impetuous and fast, but his ideals were at the opposite pole from before his conversion. Saint Paul will now be like a Pharisee in reverse. Before, only the Law. From now on only Christ will be the center of your life. The fall from the horse represents for Pablo a true point of no return. Paul's vocation is a unique case. It is a personal calling from Christ. But it does not detract from following Paul. "God is a great hunter and wants to have the strongest as prey," says one author. Paul surrendered: "-I have been hunted by Christ Jesus." But he could have rebelled. Normally the Lord's callings are much simpler, less spectacular. They do not usually arrive in the midst of the hurricane and the storm, but supported by the gentle breeze, by the tenuous aura of the ordinary events of life. We all have our road to Damascus. The Lord stalks each of us at the most unexpected bend in the road.