MY TRIP TO EPHESEUS IN TURKEY RECENTLY CAME TO MY MIND WHEN I HEARD THIS STORY about ST PAUL, THE "13TH APOSTLE" read out at Mass today.
It reminds me of the truly life-changing miracles that can happen in anyone's life - when our Life Purpose kicks in. Writing my book on how the past eight years have transformed me from broke and broken-hearted to fulfilled and inspired to help others with emotional-energy healing...tells me that an Angel can break our chains (of hopelessness) and set us free just as happened to St Paul. And then when I reflect on his conversion on the road to Damascus ...I am inspired never to judge a situation on face value or give up the Divine calling for good. Acts 12:1-11
On the very night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter, secured by double chains, was sleeping between two soldiers,while outside the door guards kept watch on the prison.Suddenly the angel of the Lord stood by him and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and awakened him, saying,“Get up quickly.” The chains fell from his wrists. The angel said to him, “Put on your belt and your sandals.” He did so.
On the very night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter, secured by double chains, was sleeping between two soldiers,while outside the door guards kept watch on the prison.Suddenly the angel of the Lord stood by him and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and awakened him, saying,“Get up quickly.” The chains fell from his wrists. The angel said to him, “Put on your belt and your sandals.” He did so.
Then he said to him, “Put on your cloak and follow me.” So he followed him out, not realizing what was happening: though the angel was real he thought he was seeing a vision.They passed the first guard, then the second, and came to the iron gate leading out to the city,which opened for them by itself. They emerged and made their way down an alley, and suddenly the angel left him. Then Peter recovered his senses and said,“Now I know for certain that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herodand from all that the Jewish people had been expecting.”
BACK TRACK TO HIS CONVERSION
If you remember, this was not the first time St Paul was released from his "chains." The story of his conversion on the road to Damascus really can be described in that almost modern day cliche as LIFE-CHANGING.
Paul set out for Damascus a most aggressive persecutor of the disciples of Jesus, but suddenly became a champion of their cause. "The young man Saul was exceedingly mad against the pilgrims of the Way. He made havoc of them, and the word [used in Scripture to describe him] is that which would be used of wild boars uprooting tender vines. He devastated them with the fury of an invading army.”
Paul set out for Damascus a most aggressive persecutor of the disciples of Jesus, but suddenly became a champion of their cause. "The young man Saul was exceedingly mad against the pilgrims of the Way. He made havoc of them, and the word [used in Scripture to describe him] is that which would be used of wild boars uprooting tender vines. He devastated them with the fury of an invading army.”
Yet on the road to Damascus, in the company of many witnesses, Saul met and spoke with the risen Jesus - and went on to become totally devoted to being an apostle - the 13th apostle he was called - for Christianity.
Amazing huh? I have recently visited Epheseus in Turkey where St Paul made efforts to speak to and convert the Romans living there as part of his travels on behalf of Christ. In my next post I will share the story of our visit to the Mother Mary house up in the hills above Epheseus where both Muslim and Christian pilgrims go to pray at the spot where it is believed St John came to live out the last years of her life with Mary, the Mother of Jesus.
I wonder if any of you, like me, have had a "Damascus experience' - or had an Angel-like experience freeing you of your "chains?"
No comments:
Post a Comment