The Conversion of St Paul

We started the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity by examining the Confession of St Peter, who was one of Jesus' strongest supporters.

But of course no story of Unity, or our faith, would be complete without mentioning one of his biggest detractors; Saul of Tarsus.

As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"
"Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked.
"I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied. "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."
The men travelling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 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. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything. Acts 9 : 3-9

Peter was a simple fisherman.  Paul was an educated man.
Peter was a disciple.  Paul hunted disciples.
Peter spent three years with Jesus.  Paul never met him in the flesh.

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." Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.– Acts 9:13-19

Jesus called them both to share the message, even if he had to strike Paul blind for three days to get him on board.

Whoever we are;  whatever we have done; HE has a use and a plan for us.  We just need to be open to it.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

GOD loves his Church.  Heaven alone knows why, but He sure does.
Sadly, we in the Church seem less inclined to love each other, or ourselves.

Ever since 1908, The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (technically an octave of 8 days) has been observed between The Confession of St Peter and The Conversion of St Paul. 
Book-ended between two of the most faithful saints of the Bible, we find a time to remind ourself as the Church that Christ loved us, and wanted us to be united. 

Whatever divides us, whatever differences we have, yesterday reminded us that we are united by one common confession.  And next week, 25 January (St Paul’s day) will remind us that we don’t get to pick and choose who we serve when Christ calls us.

So for now, I am going to be Faithful In Serving Him by praying for unity in his Church.

Join me.

Biblios Hokku – Hebrews

All joking aside, Hebrews is a pretty awesome book.  And despite the cartoon above, we actually don’t know who wrote it. 

Hebrews 11:1 gives us a wonderful definition of faith “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not yet seen.”

Hebrews is about how much better Jesus is than any sacrifice or ritual, and how through him we can boldly approach the throne of GOD.

HEBREWS
Salvation so great
What hope, should we neglect it?
Bold shall we approach.

 

To read more in the Biblios Hokku project, go to my other blog.

Biblios Hokku - Philemon

I have always found this an interesting book.  If you have never read it, go do so now.  It’s really quite short.

Paul writes to Philemon, not to instruct him in church work, but to encourage him to take back a slave who ran away.  Apparently after Onesimus (who’s name means “useful”) robbed and ran away from his lawful master, he found Paul, who helped him find the Lord.

Paul sends him back to Philemon with a request that he receive him “as you would receive me”

Quite a strong lesson in forgiveness, and mercy. 

PHILEMON
Forgive and forget.
Receive him as you would me.
For he is useful.

Biblios Hokku - Titus

Another poem for my Biblios Hokku project. 

Paul left Titus on the island of Crete, to ordain elders.  Crete was notorious for it’s dodgy characters, so he reminds Titus to choose the right sort of person – men who hold fast to the Gospels.

TITUS
Be ready for good,
holding faithful to the word,
and choose wise leaders.

Biblios Hokku – Thessalonians

Yes, it has been a while, but here is another piece from my Biblios Hokku project.  (Writing the Bible in haiku.)  If you are the sort of person who likes to read ahead, click on the link above and see all the books.  Otherwise just sit back as we do them one at a time.

The apostle Paul felt it necessary to write a letter to the Thessalonian Church, teaching primarily about the second coming of Christ.  1 Thessalonians is possibly the oldest letter in the Bible, and so much we read here might be revealed for the first time. 

1 THESSALONIANS
Rejoice evermore.
The dead in Christ shall arise;
just you wait and see! 

 

The Thessalonians were glad to hear this, but then soon they started hearing disturbing reports.  False letters were being circulated with Paul’s name on them, claiming that Jesus had already returned, and they had missed it.  Many became despondent, and stopped working for the kingdom.

Paul responds by sending them another letter, clearly from him, in which he comforts them that the event is still in the future, and that they should continue their good works until that day.

2 THESSALONIANS
This is my message:
Fear not, he is still coming.
Don’t stop good works yet.