By Peter Paul Rubens – Art UK, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=91917906
It is likely that at some time you will have heard the phrase, ‘A Damascus Road experience.’ In everyday usage this means a crucial point in life where ‘a profound change or reversal of ideas or beliefs occurs.’ There are few of us who can say we have never completely changed our mind about something because of new knowledge, a new experience or simply growing maturity.
The expression is rooted in the original conversion of Saint Paul while journeying to Damascus. Paul’s biographer Luke records the event in Acts 9:1-19. Artists have depicted the scene, some applying great imagination to put across the message that what happened was dramatic.
When Saint Paul writes of the experience himself in Galatians 1:11-24 he is reflective. He makes little of the event other than to reflect that he knew in his heart what had happened and changed his lifestyle without consultation with anyone. He changed from persecuting to advocating for the Christian church.
Thirty-two years ago, one friend told me that I may regret sharing our wedding anniversary with the Conversion of St Paul, pointing out ruefully that absolute change was on my horizon. I will not comment further except…we all make changes in our lives and alter our views. Some are dramatic and some are routine.
Think about people you know and have known. How many have changed from being adversaries to allies; are there those today who you would dismiss as not being on your wavelength who you could see differently if only you made the effort.
We note but do not condemn Paul for his initial treatment of the first Christians. We welcome Paul for his perception of God and explanations of faith. Bigoted, God was able instantly to change Paul; when we resist God are we being even more bigoted than pre-conversion Saul?
A Prayer:
Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, God of the Church, and God of the World, we can have the narrowest of views of you. Help us to broaden our minds to recognise the myriad ways in which you work and to open our hearts to receive new revelations from you. Come to us and change us when your time is right, we pray, for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.