The Liturgical Home: The Conversion of St. Paul
The Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, celebrated on January 25th, honors one of the most remarkable transformations in Christian history. Saul of Tarsus, once a fierce persecutor of the early Church, became St. Paul, one of its most ardent defenders, missionaries, and theologians. The story of his conversion is a powerful testimony to the transformative power of God and the incredible truth that no one is beyond redemption.
Walking Through the Story: Saulโs Conversion
In the book of Acts (9:1-22), we find the powerful account of Saulโs journey to Damascus. Saul was a devout Jew, deeply committed to his faith, but his zeal led him to persecute Christians fiercely. He sought to arrest and imprison anyone who followed “the Way,” the early name for the Christian faith.
Saulโs story begins even earlier in Acts, at the stoning of Stephen, the first Christian martyr. In Acts 7:58, we learn that Saul was present, and the witnesses who stoned Stephen laid their cloaks at his feet. This act was a sign of Saulโs authority and approval of the execution. As Stephen prayed for his persecutors with his dying breath, Saulโs heart remained hardened against the followers of Jesus, and his determination to crush the Christian movement only grew.
One day, as Saul traveled to Damascus, a brilliant light from heaven suddenly surrounded him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice:
“Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
Acts 9:4
When Saul asked who was speaking, the voice replied:
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”
Acts 9:5-6
Blinded by this divine encounter, Saul was led into Damascus, where he fasted and prayed for three days.
Meanwhile, the Lord appeared to a disciple named Ananias and instructed him to visit Saul. Ananias was understandably hesitantโSaulโs reputation for persecuting Christians preceded him! Yet Ananias obeyed, and when he laid his hands on Saul, something like scales fell from Saulโs eyes. He regained his sight, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and was baptized.
From that moment, Saul became Paul, one of Christianityโs greatest evangelists. He founded churches throughout Asia Minor and Europe, wrote thirteen of the twenty-seven books of the New Testament, and became a central figure in the spread of the Gospel to the Gentiles.
The Significance of St. Paulโs Conversion
The conversion of St. Paul is a profound example of Godโs transformative power. It reminds us that no one is beyond the reach of Godโs grace. Saul, once a zealous persecutor, became an instrument of Godโs mission to spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth. His story gives hope to all who feel unworthy of Godโs love or unsure of their ability to serve him.
Paulโs encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus also illustrates the deeply personal nature of faith. Jesus didnโt merely call out Saulโs actionsโhe made it clear that to persecute his followers was to persecute him directly. This intimate connection between Christ and his Church has profound implications for how we see our relationship with Him and one another.
Additionally, St. Paulโs writings have shaped Christian theology in unparalleled ways. From his profound reflections on grace and faith in Romans to his poetic hymn on love in 1 Corinthians 13, Paulโs letters continue to guide and inspire the Church today.
Ways to Celebrate the Conversion of St. Paul
1. Read and Reflect on Acts 9:1-22
Spend time as a family reading the account of Saulโs conversion in Acts. Reflect on the themes of grace, obedience, and transformation. Discuss how God might be calling each of you to serve him in your unique ways.
2. Add the Collect to Your Daily Prayers
Incorporate this prayer into your devotions to honor St. Paul and ask for the grace to follow his example of faith:
O God, by the preaching of your apostle Paul you have caused the light of the Gospel to shine throughout the world: Grant, we pray, that we, having his wonderful conversion in remembrance, may show ourselves thankful to you by following his holy teaching; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Collect for the Conversion of Paul the Apostle, Book of Common Prayer (2019)
3. Celebrate with a Sweet Reminder of Godโs Grace
Get creative with a family activity that brings the story of Saulโs conversion to life. Make cookies and give each child two cookies to hold in front of their eyes as you read the story aloud. When you get to the part where the scales fall from Saulโs eyes, have them remove the cookies and reflect on the sweetness of Godโs grace in their lives as they eat them! So fun!
Here is our favorite cookie recipe!
Oatmeal Cookies
Ingredients:
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
- Sugar for coating cookies
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream butter and sugars. Add egg through cinnamon and mix well. Add flour and oats and mix well. Form dough into 2-inch balls and place 2 inches apart on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Important Last Step! Flatten each ball with the bottom of a small glass that has been buttered and dipped into sugar. Bake for 10-12 minutes.
Image: The Conversion of St. Paul from Augustinerkirche, Vienna, Austria (artist unknown). Photograph by Sedmak from Getty Images, courtesy of Canva.