Saints + Scripture: Conversion of Saint Paul

9 Days for Life: Day Eight
For an end to the use of the death penalty in our country.

'Tis the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul the Apostle (circa 36): Apostle-link ūnus, Apostle-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

The Conversion of Paul the Apostle was an event in the life of Paul the Apostle that led him to cease persecuting early Christians & to become a follower of Jesus.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter twenty-two, verses three thru sixteen;
or, the Acts of the Apostles, chapter nine, verses one thru twenty-two;
Psalm One Hundred Seventy-seven, verses one(b/c) & two;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter sixteen, verses fifteen thru eighteen.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):

Friends, today we reflect on the significance of the conversion of St. Paul. Paul’s encounter on the road to Damascus was an answer to this question: when would God gather the nations and through Israel bring his rule to the whole world? When Paul met Jesus he realized that the promises of God had been fulfilled, that the expectations of the prophets had been met—but in a most unexpected and extraordinary way.

He knew from his tradition that God, through Israel, would deliver the world from sin, gather the nations, and establish peace and justice everywhere. That was the hope. The usual version of that hope was something like an avenging military and political ruler like Solomon or David, or a great lawgiver and leader like Moses.

What Paul saw in Jesus was someone greater than Moses, Solomon, or David—and someone wholly unexpected. God is establishing his justice, his right order, his way, through a crucified and risen criminal, and now returned from the dead? Forgiveness, compassion, nonviolence, having no truck with the ways of death? This is God’s justice, and it judges all of the fallen powers and kingdoms of the world.

Video reflection by Father Pat McCloskey, O.F.M. (Franciscan Media): United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Dwynwen, Hermit (died circa 460; also spelt Dwyn, Donwen, et al.): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Poppo of Stavelot, Abbot, O.S.B. (circa 977-1048, A.K.A. of Deinze), as abbot the "second founder" of the Imperial Abbey of Stavelot-Malmedy: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Prince-Abbot.

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Those who love to be feared, fear to be loved."
—St. Francis de Sales, Doctor of the Church (1567-1622, feast day: 24 January)

The Popish Plot
Theology Thursday: "The Reformation @ 500: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity"