Blessed Paul the Apostle

Today is the day we remember something truly remarkable - The Conversion of Saint Paul. Here was a man who was totally against Jesus and his followers. He even helped in the stoning of Stephen. God did not give up on him though (just like God does not give up on the least of us). This is one of the stories that gives me such great hope.

Saint Paul's conversion experience is discussed in both his own letters and in Acts of the Apostles. Saint Paul never met Jesus prior to Jesus's crucifixion and was not a follower of Jesus prior to the crucifixion. He calls himself an "Apostle" of Jesus but, it is clear that Paul was not one of "The Twelve." Rather, Paul's conversion occurred after Jesus's crucifixion, and the accounts of Paul's conversion experience describe it as miraculous, supernatural, or otherwise revelatory in nature.

Today is the day the Church has set aside to remember that conversion experience. Since Saint Paul is one of my favorite saints, this is an important day to me, so naturally I had to say something here. Now because today is a Sunday, we transfer our remembrance to tomorrow. I'll be singing Evensong tomorrow night and serving at the mass that follows.