Conversion of St. Paul [25 Jan]



O GOD, who, through the preaching of the blessed Apostle Saint Paul,

hast caused the light of the Gospel to shine throughout the world;

Grant, we beseech thee, that we, having his wonderful conversion in

remembrance, may show forth our thankfulness unto thee for the same,

by following the holy doctrine which he taught; through Jesus Christ

our Lord. Amen.



Homily:



Paul's question today is one we should all ask, "Lord, what wilt thou

have me to do?" Few of us will ever have any experience to match that

of Paul's. Among those we honor in the Order of Centurions, perhaps

Constantine was the only one to experience a manifestation of God that

included both a visual appearance and a conversation with Jesus

including a specific command.  Paul was physically blinded and knocked

down when a light from heaven shown upon him, and Jesus spoke to him

in voice that his companions heard. Constantine and his men beheld a

Cross of Light in the sky with symbol IHSV (meaning "in hoc signo

vinces" (by this sign, conquer!).) Later that night, Jesus personally

appeared to Constantine to explain the symbol, and commanded him to

carry it forward in the battle the next day. These experiences changed

both Paul and Constantine forever. They both in their own way went on

to make significant conquests for the Cross in obedience to the

commands of Jesus, and as a result had a most a profound effect on the

spread of Christianity.



See the readings, collect and rest of the homily

herehttp://orderofcenturions.org/documents/paul_conversion.html

Visit the Order at www.OrderofCenturions.org