Saul of Tarsus was a Jew who was instructed from an early age how to follow the Mosaic law, and he was a zealous practitioner of his faith. So zealous, in fact, that when the first Christians began to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, he eagerly persecuted them as heretics and blasphemers. The Acts of the Apostles tells us that Saul was one of the leaders of the mob that stoned St. Stephen to death. But one day on the road to Damascus, he was surrounded by a bright light, and after the voice of Jesus rebuked him he was filled with a special grace… and he believed. Today we celebrate the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul.
CHALLENGE
Saul was blinded by his pride of self-righteousness, but thanks to a holy man named Ananias who was sent by God, scales fell from Saul’s eyes and he could see. Many lost sheep are blinded by their pride of self-righteousness. Is God calling you to help them see? Today, read the second epistle of St. Paul to Timothy, which many consider his last letter, then pray for the conversion of a stubborn Saul in your life.
Want to learn more about the Order of Mercy, also known as the Mercedarians? Mercy, Ransom, Redemption is a compilation of short stories about Mercedarian saints, blesseds, brothers, priests, and third order members of the Order.
