The Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul

Today we celebrate the remarkable conversion of St. Paul, who went from zealously persecuting the Church to becoming the greatest of Apostolic missionaries, all at the stroke of a blinding vision of the risen Christ on the road to Damascus.

The Apostle's conversion speaks to the unexpected quality of God's grace and power, which consistently uses the most unlikely candidates for the increase and furtherance of His Kingdom. In this instance, the fiercest enemy of the Church miraculously becomes its greatest champion. Is there a modern parallel? Possibly.

Islam, which is ferociously persecuting the Body of Christ is also the scene of mass conversions. This goes unreported in the media, along with the persecution itself but it's apparently taking place nonetheless.

Iran, Indonesia, Sub-Saharan Africa and more besides are reportedly seeing mass conversions of Muslims to Christianity. As with St. Paul, this is often brought about through visions, which lead people to convert in the face of heinous consequences on the part of Muslim authorities.

It would be ironic but well in keeping with Pauline precedent if Islam became the engine that converts the increasingly pagan countries of the West and Europe.

St. Paul, pray for us.

LSP