http://www.comeandseeicons.com/p/ppw02.htm
The account of the Conversion of
St. Paul is repeated several times in the Book of Acts. Paul was a citizen of Rome,
from Tarsus. He was also a Pharisee, of the tribe of
Benjamin and studied under Gamaliel, the most famous Rabbi of his time.
Paul was a true Pharisee, he
loved God, but thought that salvation was earned by obeying the 613 Mitzvot
(commandments) found in the Tanakh or Old Testament. Paul had it reversed, thinking we are saved
because we obey, and he did his best to obey, to the point of witnessing the
martyrdom of Stephan, and by getting warrants to throw Christians in prison,
and even have them killed.
On his way to Damascus, he had an experience to transform
his life forever. He comes face to face
with the risen Lord, who even suggests that Saul might be sympathetic to
Christians (“why are you kicking against the goads?” says Jesus to Paul). He who was spiritually blind comes face to
face with Yeshua and is struck blind literally.
We who are spiritually blind need to be careful when we say we see, for
our sin will be greater. Paul realizes
something is going on, and he fasted for three days. On the third day, Ananias, a follower of the
way is directed by the Lord to go heal Saul.
Ananias has some misgivings, but obeys the Lord. Saul recovers his sight and is immediately
baptised. He has come from trying to be
saved through obedience to obeying because he is saved. Would that all Christians would learn to
thank the Lord through his obedience.
Paul goes form persecuting the
church, to proclaiming Yeshua as Messiah, a Messiah not only for Jews, but for
Goyim (gentiles) as well, the true saviour of the world. Paul was a prolific writer and
evangelist. Thirteen Epistles were
written by Paul. He also traveled
extensively in what is now Italy,
Syria, Turkey, Greece,
Crete, and Malta. We know he planned on visiting Spain, and
probably did. There is also some
evidence he may have made it to Britain
as well. Only St. Thomas made it further than Paul amongst
the Apostles.
Paul talked about a thorn in his
flesh, which God would not cure, telling Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you,
for my power is made perfect in your weakness.”
I suggest that the thorn in the flesh (it has been identified with
everything from poor eyesight to homosexuality) was deliberately not
identified, so that we could each say, God’s strength is made perfect in my
weakness in that area.
Whether we write, or preach, or
go telling others about Yeshua, we need to have Paul’s enthusiasm, and his
thankfulness, and great desire to spread the Good News to all nations.
Collect of the Day: Lord, as we remember your appearance to St. Paul and his marvelous
conversion on this day, so move in our hearts that we would share his passion
to proclaim the Gospel. This we ask in
the name of Yeshua haMoshiach who lives and reigns with you and the Ruach
haKodesh, one God in glory everlasting.
Amen. (white)
Acts 26:9-21
Galatians 1:11-24
Matthew 10:16-22
If there is no celebration of the
Eucharist today, use the lesson from Acts with matins
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