Conversion of Saint Paul

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul. Paul was formerly called Saul and he was not one of Jesus’ disciples or followers. However he was a devout Jew, very well read with a high degree of scriptural knowledge and was influential among the people of Jerusalem. In being faithful to his faith he worked zealously to arrest and imprison those who had become followers of Jesus because he saw them as betrayers of the Jewish faith. In the Acts of the Apostles we read that he was present at the stoning and death of the first recorded Christian martyr Saint Stephen . While on his way to Damascus from Jerusalem a supernatural light surrounded him from heaven, it struck him blind and he was thrown off his horse. In that moment he heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting”. Thereby Jesus identifies himself with all Christians who are incorporated into the Body of Christ in baptism.
Immediately after his conversion Paul travels to preach the Gospel to the gentiles starting with Arabia and its only after three years that he meets with Peter and later on with the other apostles.
Paul and his letters in New Testament provide Christians of our time an insight into the life of the early Christians and much more.
Saint Paul pray for all missionaries and keep them safe!