Homily for the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul

 

Acts 22:3-16

Ps 117:1-2

Mk 16:15-18

 

St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, Burkburnett, TX

 

When we hear the story of St. Paul’s dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus, no doubt the scene of him being knocked off his horse is what stays with us.  But that was just the beginning for St. Paul.

This intimate encounter with the Risen Lord was a moment of light that completely changed his life when Jesus asked “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” St. Paul then understood that Christ and His Church are one. That insight would deeply move him and become a central theme of his later writings, which make up fully half of the New Testament – the unity of the Mystical Body of Christ.

It is said there are three levels of conversion. First is religious conversion, where one professes faith in God – belief that there is a creator larger than us who loves us and wants us to be with Him. Second is Christian conversion, where one professes that Jesus is God – the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, born and Incarnate of the Virgin Mary, who loves us so much He suffered and died for us, rose again and ascended into Heaven, and will come again at the end of time to judge the living and the dead and the world by fire. The third level of conversion, which many people never make, is ecclesial conversion, where one possesses the insight that Christ and His Church are One.

This final level of conversion enables us to fully understand the Sacrament of Penance as not merely confessing our sins so we can again receive Holy Communion, but as a healing of the wounds we have caused by our sins. Our sins wound our relationship with both Christ and His Church because they are one. As such, sacramental confession is also rightly called the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

This final level of conversion also enables us to humbly submit our will and intellect to the teachings of Holy Mother Church. One may not like, agree with, or fully understand what the Church teaches on a particular topic, but the revelation that Christ and His Church are one reminds one that She teaches with the authority of Jesus Christ.

          Like St. Paul, if we make this insight truly our own, it will upend lives. It will be our road to Damascus. St. Paul, Holy Apostle, Pray for Us!