Today we celebrate the conversion of St. Paul, the apostle. He was a person of great dedication and is capable of pursuing an ideal with a complete disregard for the cost. He was educated in Jerusalem by Gamaliel who gave him a strong foundation in religious doctrine of the school of Pharisees. He refuses any compromise with matters of God. That is why it is understandable that he became the bitter persecutor of the infant church. He also played some part in the martyrdom of Stephen.

On the road to Damascus through a vision, the Risen Christ opened Paul’s mind to the truth of Christian faith and he was chosen to be the apostle of the pagans. With the same zeal Paul started to preach and serve passionately and selflessly for Christ. Nothing stopped him from this mission — hard work, exhaustion, danger of death, poverty. He welcomed these since they helped him grow into the image of the suffering and crucified Master.

What is the significance of this feast for us? God calls anyone even an assassin to become His witness. We don’t have to travel far to announce Jesus Christ. We can bring Christ to our family, in our work places, school and friends. Allow the Lord to use our talents, intelligence even weakness for the greater glory of God.