Today January 25th is the Feast Day of the Conversion of St. Paul.
The Road to Damascus - Saul Takes his Journey
Many of you already know the story of St. Paul... First known as Saul...
Here's a wonderful short story to refresh your memory or to bring you up to date...
Saul’s Conversion Acts 9
"Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”
“Yes, Lord,” he answered.
11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”
13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”
15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength."
Site Reference https://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=saul&version=NIV
SAUL to PAUL... Conversion of Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa
So, you say to yourself that God only used people in the Bible... I am so sorry to say that this is not so. God has chosen many to spread His word to others. For instance, Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa "The Preacher to the Popes"
Below is a link and story about Fr. Cantalamessa from Cantalamessa.org...
"In 1979 he resigned his teaching position to become a full time preacher of the Gospel. In 1980 he was appointed by Pope John Paul II Preacher to the Papal Household and confirmed in that position by pope Benedict XVI in 2005. In this capacity he preaches a weekly sermon in Advent and Lent in the presence of the Pope, the cardinals, bishops an prelates of the Roman Curia and the general superiors of religious orders. He is also frequently invited to speak in many countries around the world, both to Catholic and Protestant audiences."
"He has received an Honorary degree in Laws from Notre Dame University (Indiana), in Sciences of communication from the University of Macerata (Italy) and in Theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville (Ohio)."
"In addition to his early scholar books on patristic Christology, Easter in the Ancient Church and other topics he has published numerous books on spirituality fruit of his preaching to the papal Household, translated in more than twenty foreign languages."
"For 14 years, from 1994 to 2010 he has run a weekly program on the first channel of the Italian state television (RAI) on the Gospel of the following Sunday."
"From 2009, when he is not engaged in preaching, he lives in an hermitage, at Cittaducale (Rieti) ministering to a small community of cloistered nuns."
"The 18 July 2013 he has been confirmed by pope Francis as Preacher to the Papal Household."
On October 25th of 2020 Pope Francis announced that
Cantalamessa would be a Cardinal
The Preacher of the Papal Household
Recently a few friends watched the Movie by CMax.TV cmax.tv "The Preacher to the Popes" "The Language of Joy" Fr. Cantalamessa says "There is a language we see is still, still authentic and believe is the language joy." Yes, he certainly lights up with this "Joy" when he preaches the gospel...
It is not by chance that one friend felt inspired to discuss the Movie together online.
So, we did meet... but before our gathering and being the facilitator for the group, I ask God to help me prepare for the meeting. With God's help I was inspired to review Holy Scripture and the daily Mass Readings. I found that January 25th was the FEAST DAY OF ST PAUL'S CONVERSION.
NOW, you ask... ??? So... ??? Well... Here's the connection...
In the Movie Fr. Cantalamessa states that when he came to America, and then returned to Italy, that his colleagues said to him... "You go to America as SAUL and return as PAUL...!!!"
Connection: The Day we our little group of friends are to talk about the Movie... just happens to be the FEAST DAY OF THE CONVERSION OF ST. PAUL... Saul to Paul.
I call this a GOD WINK!
Be blessed... Paige St. James And inspired by Rose Gabriela
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