Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle
One of the challenges of being a priest in the digital age is dealing with people with more access to theological information through the internet, social media, etc. One day, I had to deal with a person who is a Bible enthusiast; this person particularly challenged me on account of Paul's conversion because I was preaching that Paul's conversion was a lightning experience because he was blinded by a light and heard Jesus' voice. This Bible enthusiast challenged me and said that my preaching is incorrect because there are three different accounts of Paul’s conversion in the Bible. As today we celebrate the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, Apostle, let’s pause and reflect on the conversion story of St. Paul.
In Acts of Apostle 23, Luke wrote that on his way to Damascus, a great light from the sky suddenly shone around Paul, and he fell to the ground with the voice, "Saul, Saul, why you are prosecuting me?" Then Paul said, "My companions saw the light but did not hear the voice of the one who spoke to me." In Acts of Apostle 9, however, Luke wrote that after Paul fell to the ground, the men traveling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but could see no one. So, there are two contradictory accounts here, it's unclear whether Paul's companions see anything or hear the voice. In Acts 26, however, Luke tells a slightly different story, in which the light shines around Paul and his traveling companions, and they all fall to the ground. Indeed, those three accounts differ slightly, but those minor discrepancies do not change the truth of Paul's conversion. Moreover, there are two other conversion stories of Paul in the Bible, which Paul retold in Galatians chapter 1 and Philippians chapter 3. The most important lesson from Paul's conversion is an experience of underserved favor and unmerited grace. So, the conversion story of St. Paul is the lifelong celebration of God's mercy in Christ. He had been surprised by grace, and he wanted to share it with others so that all of us could appreciate it. Above all, the centerpiece of God's grace is Jesus Christ, who appears to Paul and all of us, regardless of who hears the voice or sees the light.