Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, the Apostle

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/012512.cfm

"I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia,
but brought up in this city.
At the feet of Gamaliel I was educated strictly in our ancestral law
and was zealous for God, just as all of you are today.

The story of Saint Paul's revelation and subsequent conversion teaches us much about the Christian way of life, and provides a cautionary tale about zeal. The Apostle described his former way of life not as sinful; that sinful story appears only in a later Pauline epistle which scholars suspect he did not write. Rather he recalled his strict education in the Law of Moses and his zeal for promoting that interpretation.

His encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus gave him an entirely new understanding of the Mosaic Law and redirected his zeal into unexpected new channels. 

The Church's long experience of zeal and the Holy Spirit teaches us wariness about zealotry. We are always glad to see someone turn away from a foolish, destructive way of life. We are delighted to share our joy and vision with those whom the Lord sends us. We are eager to be inspired by their energy and insight. 

And we also encourage them to allow us to test every spirit before they get carried away. Conversion is a process -- painstaking, arduous and demanding. Perhaps one of the hardest lessons is that deep suspicion of one's own impulses.

The "convert" -- that is one who has truly turned away from sin and wants to live by the Gospel -- will first have to square off against the habits of a lifetime which were, in fact, destructive and sinful. They will almost certainly include one or more of the "seven deadly sins:"  wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy, and gluttony. These habits abide in one's actions, speech and thoughts. They hide in one's memories, especially the resentments. Through the practice of penance, usually within a community of penance such as a 12 step group or a small prayer group, and with the assistance of mentors, spiritual directors and devout friends, the convert recognizes the roots of evil within the self. 

Saint Paul called that self "the old man." He was old not in the sense of aged but in sense of belonging to Adam and his fallen ways. 

Then, as one's thoughts, words and deeds are purified, the practice of obedience leads to humility. 

But expect relapses and discouragement along the way. The Old Man does not give up easily. 

And expect help and support from the Church of the redeemed. That community -- ever ancient and ever new -- may not be fun but it is joyful. 

And take to heart Saint Paul's encouraging words to his Thessalonian friends: 
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil. May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.  (I Thessalonians 5: 17-24)