St Paul's Conversion: A Story of Grace (January 25)

 

There is no historical narrative that has given me so much confidence and inspiration as the story of St Paul’s conversion recorded in Acts 9:1-22 or 22:3-16. As a seminarian, it was a great opportunity for me to meet a lady (in the course of my pastorals) who bluntly told me that she saw no reason why she should continue to struggle against her weaknesses. That if God could allow her to keep on living badly as she had been living despite her struggles to be better, then whatever that she was doing is right. From being afraid of sin, she became fanatically complacent, strongly believing that “sin is no sin”. I was taken aback by her statements and disposition. From all indications, she considered it a sheer waste of time to think or to be talked to about God’s love, grace and mercy.

Many of us may have seen ourselves in similar situations. Sometimes, we may have been drawn to strongly believe that our lifestyles are right, that our beliefs are true, no matter the moral implications. Sometimes, we may have seen ourselves not only as rags but as “useless” rags waiting to be thrown into fire. Sometimes, we do not think that there is need to talk about God’s mercy, grace and love. One thing that we must always remember is that sin can be so corrosive that it can easily chop off our moral shock absorber. When we become used to sin, we become so much exposed to negativities, thus allowing ourselves to be steadily led to some sort of moral stagnation. When this happens, we may not see any need again to agree and believe that God’s grace and mercy can make us spring up, dust off and move on with confidence.

Today, we are celebrating the Feast of St. Paul’s Conversion: conversion from the Jewish faith to the Christian faith; from a persecutor of Christians to a fiery propagator of the Christian faith; from a fanatical adherent to Jewish law to a dedicated worker who spread God’s fragrance across cultures and nations. He himself admitted that “being ‘zealous’ for God (thinking that he was doing God some good) he persecuted the Christian Way, binding and delivering to prison all those who followed the Way” (cf. Acts 22:3b-4). Thanks to God’s grace, at the end of the day, St Paul was led from the darkness of cruel legalism of Judaism to the light of the all-embracing love of God. St Paul was touched; and He was refashioned into a wonderful vessel for the spread of God’s message of love. From his conversion story, it should become clearer to us that God can do with us whatever He wills. Remember: His ways are not our ways, neither His thoughts our thoughts. 

Now, I ask you (and also ask myself): Why do you think that God is not interested in you? I strongly believe that God can still refashion us into great vessels for a loftier use despite our past. He is not and can never be hampered by our limitations. God can never be distracted by our moral bankruptcy. His mercy overshadows and outshines any ray of doubt that we may have. What are we still waiting for? Let us, like St Paul, submit ourselves to His grace; and become transformed! Forget about the past life! Move into the future with confidence and strong dislike for sin. 

As Jesus says to His apostles today, He is also saying to you and I (who have been healed) to go into the world and heal others; to go into the world and cooperate with Him in softening hardened hearts; to go into the world and preach the Gospel to the whole of creation (cf. Mk. 16:15). St. Paul was touched; he was healed; his heart was softened. And he went into the world doing the same; he preached and preached and preached and died in it. And that was why he said without reservation: WOE TO ME IF I DO NOT PREACH THE GOSPEL! (1 Cor. 9:16b). Let us look at him, and be more strengthened to launch more into the deep! May God’s grace be ever abundant for us as we do this, through Christ Our Lord, AMEN!!!

St. Paul the Apostle … Pray for us!

Have a great day and week!