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Friday, 25 January
2013
The Conversion of Saint Paul, apostle - Feast
Saint Bernard (1091-1153),
Cistercian monk and doctor of the Church
1st Sermon for the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, 1, 6 ;
PL 183, 359
"Lord, what would you have me do?"
Rightly, beloved
brethren,
is the conversion of “the teacher of the Gentiles” (1Tim 2,7)
a feast that all nations joyfully celebrate today.
is the conversion of “the teacher of the Gentiles” (1Tim 2,7)
a feast that all nations joyfully celebrate today.
Numerous indeed are
the shoots that have sprung from this root:
once converted, Paul became the instrument of the whole world's conversion.
once converted, Paul became the instrument of the whole world's conversion.
In former days, while
he was still living in the flesh but not according to the flesh (cf. Rom
8,5f.),
he converted many to God by his preaching, and still today,
now that he is living a happier life in God,
he does not cease to work for our conversion by his example,
prayer and teaching...
he converted many to God by his preaching, and still today,
now that he is living a happier life in God,
he does not cease to work for our conversion by his example,
prayer and teaching...
This feast is a great
source of blessings for those who celebrate it...
How can we despair, however great the enormity of our sins, when we hear that:
“Saul, still breathing murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord”
was suddenly transformed into “a chosen instrument”? (Acts 9,1.15)
How can we despair, however great the enormity of our sins, when we hear that:
“Saul, still breathing murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord”
was suddenly transformed into “a chosen instrument”? (Acts 9,1.15)
Who could say from
beneath the weight of their sins:
“I can't raise myself up to live a better life” when, on the very road that his heart,
thirsting with hatred, was leading him, this implacable persecutor
suddenly became a devoted preacher?
“I can't raise myself up to live a better life” when, on the very road that his heart,
thirsting with hatred, was leading him, this implacable persecutor
suddenly became a devoted preacher?
This conversion alone
shows us on a splendid day
the greatness of God's mercy and power of his grace
the greatness of God's mercy and power of his grace
Take good note, my
brethren, of this perfect model of conversion:
“My heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready...
What would you have me do?” (Ps 57[56],8; Acts 9,6).
Brief words but how pregnant, alive, efficacious and worthy of being answered!
How few there are who share this disposition of perfect obedience
and have denied their wills to the extent that their own hearts
no longer belong to them.
How few there are who seek at every moment not what they themselves want
but what God wants and who are continually saying to him:
“Lord, what would you have me do?”
“My heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready...
What would you have me do?” (Ps 57[56],8; Acts 9,6).
Brief words but how pregnant, alive, efficacious and worthy of being answered!
How few there are who share this disposition of perfect obedience
and have denied their wills to the extent that their own hearts
no longer belong to them.
How few there are who seek at every moment not what they themselves want
but what God wants and who are continually saying to him:
“Lord, what would you have me do?”
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