St. Paul
One
Today, January 25th we celebrate the Conversion of St. Paul.
Paul, also known as Saul, was born in Tarsus, modern-day Turkey, around 8 AD, which means he was likely in his mid-twenties when Jesus died and rose again. At that time, Paul was a devout Jew, so committed to his beliefs that he was determined to destroy Christianity before it gained momentum and spread. The Acts of the Apostles tells us that Paul, with letters of authority from the Chief Priests was on his way to Damascus, where the new faith was taking root, to put an end to Christianity before it spread, using imprisonment and violence if necessary.
But, suddenly, while on the road to Damascus, there came a light from heaven. He fell to the ground, and then heard a voice saying, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?' 'Who are you, Lord?' he asked, and the voice answered, 'I am Jesus, and you are persecuting me. Get up now and go into the city, and you will be told what you have to do.' Struck blind, Paul was led by the hand to Damascus where a Christian named Ananias laid hands on him and prayed. Immediately, it was as though scales fell away from Saul's eyes and he could see again. So, he was baptized. After he had spent only a few days with the disciples in Damascus, he began preaching in the synagogues, 'Jesus is the Son of God'.
If Jesus is real and He is God, well, then that redefines everything! After his encounter with Jesus, Paul completely transformed his life and became one of the Church's most powerful missionaries, spreading Christianity through Turkey, Greece, Italy, and Spain.
You believe Jesus is real and that He is God. I know you do. But has this belief redefined everything for you?
Two
Apostle to the Gentiles
Paul’s missionary journeys, recounted in Acts of the Apostles are a testament to his tireless commitment to spreading the Gospel to everyone Jew and Gentile. During his first journey, Paul, accompanied by Barnabas, set out from Antioch and traveled through regions of Asia Minor, including key cities in Turkey such as Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe. Here, he began establishing Christian communities by first reaching out to the Jews in the synagogues and then extending the invitation of salvation to Gentiles, who wholeheartedly received the Good News despite resistance from Jewish leaders.
On his second journey, Paul's mission expanded further into Europe. Traveling through Macedonia and Greece, he founded vibrant churches in cities like Philippi, Thessalonica, and Corinth. In these urban centers, he encountered both fervent acceptance by the Gentiles and notable opposition from his own people, yet his perseverance helped to establish a robust foundation for Christianity among diverse populations, signaling a clear break from the notion that the faith was solely for Jews.
During his third journey, Paul returned to many of the established communities in Turkey and continued to build up the new Church in Greece, most notably through an extended stay in Ephesus. Throughout these journeys, the overriding message remained consistent: the Gospel is universal. Paul’s relentless efforts broke down religious and ethnic barriers, affirming that salvation through Jesus Christ is available to all, regardless of background. This is how Paul gets the title of Apostle to the Gentiles.
Paul is one of the greatest missionaries in the history of the Church bringing Christianity to Turkey and Europe. Finally he was arrested and martyred in Rome in 65 or 66 AD. He is buried in the church that bears his name, St. Paul Outside the Walls.
Three
Paul knew rejection from his own people
One of the most difficult things for any parent is when their adult children reject Jesus and the Catholic Church. Of the thousands upon thousands of prayer intentions we receive, the most common is for a child to come back to the faith. This is one of the most painful things. But Paul knew the pain of being rejected by his own people. He understood the pain we go through when a son or daughter abandons faith.
But Paul was indefatigable. Isn’t that a great word? It means he never gave up. And neither should you. But you need a real strategy to bring your kids back to the faith. So, here are three crucial steps.
First, prayer! Pray for the conversion of your kids by name.
Paul prayed for the conversion of people he loved. In Colossians, Paul writes, “That will explain why, ever since the day I told you, I have never failed to pray for you, and what I ask God is that through perfect wisdom and spiritual understanding you should reach the fullest knowledge of his will. So you will be able to lead the kind of life which the Lord expects of you, a life acceptable to him in all its aspects; showing the results in all the good actions you do and increasing your knowledge of God.”
And the most powerful prayer is the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. That is the prayer offered by Jesus which is infinite and all-powerful. Go to Sunday Mass and daily Mass and join your prayer for your kids’ conversion to the prayer of Christ. There is no more effective means. And of course, pray for them by name in every Rosary.
Four
Sacrifice
The second step is to offer sacrifices for the conversion of your children. Again, to the Colossians Paul wrote, “It makes me happy to suffer for you, as I am suffering now, and in my own body to do what I can to make up all that has still to be undergone by Christ for the sake of his body, the Church.”
At the beginning of each day, do the morning offering and offer it for your children by name. Say, “Father, I give you my prayer, work, joy, and suffering this day. I unite it to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and I offer it for (name your kids).”
Then everything you do that day is united to the infinite intercession of Christ for the conversion of your kids. Then throughout the day, renew the offering by accepting what you did not choose, do not like and cannot change and offer it up for their conversion, offer it by name. I accept this for so and so. I do this for the conversion of so and so.
We waste a lot of opportunities each day. Don’t waste them. Accept them and offer them up.
Five
Friendship is the bridge
The third step is to build a bridge by building a deep friendship with your kids that have fallen away. Remember this principle: people come to God through other people. Paul knew this and built deep friendships with Barnabus, Timothy, Titus, Silas, and many others.
You may not be the person who brings your son or daughter back to Christ and the Church. But you certainly don’t want to be roadblock and you want to be a bridge. That bridge is friendship. And what does friendship take? Time. Spend time together. Invite them to do good things together. Prepare a meal or desert for them. Invite them to do good things like a walk or some activity.
Here is the most important part. Be genuinely interested in their lives. Learn what they are doing, what they like, what they desire. Then delight in them. Make them know and feel that you think the world is a better place just because they exist. Find all kind of ways to say to them by word and action: It is good that you exist, how wonderful you are.
People can’t believe an invisible God loves them unconditionally and delights in them if the people they can see don’t communicate unconditional love and express their delight in them. We build the bridge to God by demonstrating to our kids that we know them, unconditionally love them, care for them, and delight in them.
Now, do all three steps over and over and over and never give up, and lastly, have confidence that God will break open their hearts and they will receive the love of God. Trust Him and never give up.
Suggested Resolutions:
Choose one resolution for today to help you grow closer to God, or create your own. Here are some ideas to inspire you.
Commit to praying for the conversion of one person by name each day and offering your daily sufferings up for them.
Practice the morning offering, saying to God, “Father, I give you my prayer, work, joy, and suffering this day. I unite it to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and I offer it for (name of intention).”
Reach out to someone who has fallen away from the Church just to spend time in friendship, get to know them better, and give them an example of unconditional love.