The Conversion of St. Paul

One of my parishioners many years ago would ask her peers whether or not they could still fit in their Baptismal garments?  She would use this line when her friends and acquaintances would object to bible studies and adult catechesis.  She would often mention to me about how much her life had changed since she had started reading the Scriptures and volunteering more at church.  She would talk about a mini-awakening.

Now while Paul was certainly not nice to Christians, he was a devout Jew, committed to the law and the covenant.  He had not taken that next step in receiving Jesus Christ as the revelation of the Father.  Like a patient parent, God had to set him down on his backside to get his attention, and introduce him to the person and identity of Jesus.  In the middle of his life, and of his ministry, Paul undergoes a conversion.

But look at people like Francis of Assisi, Frances Cabrini, or even Elizabeth Ann Seton.  They had a life planned out and were well on their way in achieving what God had called them to do.  Was it that God had changed his mind, or was it that they were not listening to God.  To be sure these moments of conversion, inspiration, and revelation come at the ordinary and the extra-ordinary times of life.  Not unlike the prophets or holy men and women we sometimes want to run far away.

Paul teaches us to trust in the process and to rely on God's help and grace.  In Romans Paul alludes to the mystery of the cross, and in that by dying to oneself, as painful and disorientating that is, there is the resurrection.  There has to be an ongoing awareness of God and holiness in our lives.  We cannot fake being people of God.  Prayer, fasting, and works of charity keep us focused on divine matter and the life and love of God.  I know of two religious woman, who in their middle life, drastically changed their ministry.  There are numerous men and women who have shown up in the parish office, and seemingly out of the blue, have decided to become catholic.

People who grow within their faith journey are  reflective people.  They can look out over a beautiful vista, or down a cramped city street, and discover the invitation of God.  These are folks who are seeking for answers and meaning greater then themselves, and are left hungry but what our society or culture seems to offer.  Let's go with Paul today to get our eyes open so as to entertain the vision of God.