The Tribune

By Rev Angela Bosfield Palacious

THROUGH Paul’s obedience we have these wonderful words of the collect or prayer for the Conversion of St Paul (January 25): “O God, by the preaching of your apostle Paul you have caused the light of the Gospel to shine throughout the whole world: Grant, we pray, that we, having his wonderful conversion in remembrance, may show ourselves thankful to you by following his holy teaching.”

The words remind us of the impact of a life turned toward Jesus Christ.

Sometimes we are off course, and we are enraged by what seems contrary to what we believe is true, only to find out that we are quite wrong! Paul admits that, “I was so furiously enraged at them (the Christians), I pursued them even to foreign cities.” (Acts 26:11)

On such occasions we are tempted to disappear off the scene and not allow ourselves to be embarrassed. Saul not only accepts the identity of Paul the disciple but launches into a passionate plea for Christianity.

Rather than have to be struck down to the ground by a bright light in order to hear the voice of God, we can decide to make ourselves available to hear God speak to us even now.

“Who are you, Lord?” is a question that we do not need to ask as a stranger. We have the privilege to come into His presence every minute of the day, in prayer, through the reading of Scripture, worship in church and privately, and through fellowship with those who have a similar relationship with the Lord.

Paul’s experience of God’s direction in his life can be a great incentive to us: “For I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you to serve and testify to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you.” (Acts 26:16b)

God gave him the message that he had a powerful ministry, and we have the same opportunity to perform, at some level, in a similar manner: “I am sending you to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” (Acts 26:18)

God is desirous for all people to “repent and turn to God and do deeds consistent with repentance,” (Acts 26 20) and it is for us to share this deep desire for the salvation of the world. The heart of God is revealed to us through Jesus Christ, and through Holy Scripture of which Paul’s letters are such an integral part. His early training in Judaism and his advancement beyond his peers enabled him to excel in both faiths.

God set him apart before he was born, we are told, and he was called by God’s grace to bring glory to God. We too have a similar expectation and call, and like the disciples we too are sent out “like sheep into the midst of wolves” and meant to be “wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” (Mt. 10: 16)

We are to be equally encouraged by the Lord’s words: “For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you” (Mt. 10:20) and that “the one who endures to the end will be saved.” (Mt 10:22)