There’s an old proverb of uncertain origin which says: “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.” One of the greatest moments in any teacher’s life is when a student in front of you who’s been struggling with a concept finally has that ‘ah ha’ moment. It’s written all over their face when they ‘get it’.
That experience can happen with any of us, too, when for instance, we read a book and have a sudden realization or spiritual insight that affects us deeply. That awareness often has a transforming effect not only in our minds, but most importantly, in our hearts.
In today’s first reading, St. Paul is sharing his personal story of when his teacher, God, suddenly spoke to him on the road to Damascus. Paul had a dramatic ‘ah ha’ moment, and a life-changing spiritual insight which transformed his life forever. Up until that time, Paul says he was a Jewish zealot who persecuted the followers of Christ ‘without measure’ and tried to destroy them and their religious practices. Then God, who readied Paul’s heart, called him by grace, revealed His Son Jesus to Paul, and sent him to preach to the Gentiles.
And what a changed person he became! After a period of preparation and reflection,
- Paul began travelling across Asia Minor on three missionary journeys,
- wrote 13 letters found in the New Testament that formed the earliest texts in Christian literature,
- and founded churches which nurtured the good news of Jesus Christ.
St. Paul was a tireless evangelizer and eventual martyr for God, his teacher, who transformed his heart.
What lessons can we learn today from Paul’s conversion?
- God was the primary source of Paul’s conversion. We can learn to go first to the source as well, much like Mary did in our gospel today. She sat at Jesus’ feet and just listened to him. God speaks to us in the scriptures and in the sacraments always, but especially when we are in need of guidance, grace, and comfort.
- As Paul shared his story of how God transformed his heart, so we too can share our life in Christ with others. May we be ‘influencers’ in the best sense of the word, by our lives, words, and deeds.
St. Paul, who listened to God the teacher, pray for us.
