Conversion Road

Today is the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul. Many will be asking why commemorate such an event? The usual way is to celebrate the birthday, death or martyrdom of a saint once a year. But Saint Paul has made so much impact that a part of his life has actually been the reason of why the gentiles are Christians now.

Why is he so passionate? The answer lies in the road to Damascus. Paul being a zealous Jew was on his way to persecute the Christians when suddenly a blinding light struck him. Someone was telling him, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” The books of Acts narrated how he got up again a changed man. We can never remain the same when we encounter Jesus! Saint Paul found that truth.

He became passionate about the mission because he deeply believed that it was Jesus whom he encountered and who after being struck down, pulled him up and allowed him to see again. “Pinulot lang siya sa putikan. (He was just picked up from the sludge.) This is the consistent theme in his letters, he would say, “I consider everything as rubbish… It is when I am weak than I am strong… I rejoice in my weaknesses…” For him Christ is everything.

He was so convicted that a certain, “Jesus” loves him so much that he is willing to die for Him. The conviction that someone loves him so much makes him passionate about the mission. He was burning with the fire of Christ love. The road that was supposed to bring him to destruction has brought him to life.

His life reminds us of the following:

1. A single person can actually make a difference. Saint Paul almost singlehandedly championed the evangelization of the gentiles to the Christian faith. There is so much a single person can do.

2. A conversion can lead to a greater good of all. His conversion provides Christianity a champion of its faith. The best evangelizer is a fallen evangelizer.

3.  Evangelization means living out Christ by example. Saint Paul lived out what he was preaching. Still, the best sermon is our actions.

4.  We can be principled without being judgmental. Saint Paul can debate with anyone and defend his faith. He can persuade his adversaries but he never judged them. A Christian is never judgmental, for he looks at others with the eyes of Christ.

5.  We can adapt without compromising our faith. Saint Paul said, he can be a Jew to a Jew and a gentile to a gentile in order to proclaim the gospel but he never compromises his faith. We can adapt with other culture so the message can be better understood.

6.   The past is not a hindrance to a future full of hope. Saint Paul never looks at his past as a hindrance instead a source passion to preach the gospel even more. I have run the race, I have competed well, and I have kept the faith, he said. Our past does not define our future.

7.  Conviction leads to proclamation. Saint Pauls’ conviction does not end in him. It is like fire burning within his heart. He cannot help but proclaim Him. He was burning with the fire of Christ that’s why he never burns out. We get burn out if we burn with our own fire. Burn with the fire of Christ and you will not burn out.

It will be hard to serve if we don’t have the kind of passion that Saint Paul has. We will easily quit. What is your Damascus Road? What is your conversion story? Let it fuel you to serve God with passion and conviction.

Saint Paul, may we have that conviction and passion of yours in our drive to proclaim the Jesus whom you love. Amen.

by aats