Devotion - Tuesday, January 25

Today is the Feast Day of the Conversion of Saint Paul. Paul was only a few older than Jesus, but they had not met until the day on which Jesus confronted Paul. Paul is going down to Damascus with papers which would allow him to arrest any of Jesus' followers he finds there. Paul is thrown to the ground, a bright light blinds him, and he hears a voice from heaven.

Paul, when asks, "Who are you?" The response was "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”

Paul goes on to become the Church's missionary to the Gentiles. This is not without some controversy. Many were of the mindset that before they could be called Christians they had to first become Jews.

The Conversion of Paul is the first day of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Christians are all invited to acknowledge our oneness in Christ, so set aside our disagreements, and give thanks for the various expressions of faith. It seems that this would have been pleasing to Paul, who sets before the leaders of the Church in Jerusalem the message he is sharing with the Gentiles, obtaining their agreement that he is teaching appropriately.

The Conversion of Paul changes the history of the Church. How might our conversion (to a more open and accepting articulation of Christian faith) change the Church which is emerging in our time? We will only find out if we commit ourselves to seeking that way, and that Church.