Homily – Third Friday of Easter (Acts 9:1-20)
Homily – Third Friday of Easter (Acts 9:1-20)
Who is this Saul person that we meet in the scriptures we read at Mass today? Saul was the Apostle that we commonly call Paul. We see that any number of the people we meet in the scriptures have two names. Often it has to do with the fact a person has the same name, but that name looks different in different languages. Saul was Paul’s Hebrew name he was proud of his Jewish roots. Later as he was carrying the Gospel into the empire, he chose to use his Roman name, Paul.
Sometimes it was said that Paul used his Hebrew name before his conversion but used his Roman name after he became a Christian. It was said this represented his new way of life.
When I lived at St. Meinrad, as I was going through the seminary, monks would enter the monastery as novices. When they did they kept their name, but eventually as they made simple and solemn vows, they would begin to use a “religious name.” This would be chosen for them by the Abbot. This represented the fact that they had left a secular life and was completely dedicated to the Lord. There would be other symbolic actions as well that would say that the novice (monk) had died to their old self and was reborn to a new way of life.
There is no clear line of demarcation as to when Saul began to use Paul, but he seemed to feel using his Roman name was a way of assuring converts that they did not have to become Jewish to follow Jesus. Paul, unlike the other Apostles, was a Roman citizen. This gave him certain rights that Hebrew Christians did not have.
Paul did undergo a dramatic conversion on the Road to Damascus. His story of encountering the risen Jesus was a compelling one. But Paul would use what ever advantages he had to spread the Gospel. He was trained in Theology and could write, and he was a citizen of the empire. All these gifts he used in service of Christian evangelization.
Reflection Questions:
- Have you ever chosen or been given a nickname? What did that symbolize for me?
- Saul means “asked for.” Do I believe that I was an answer to a prayer? Who asked for me?
Dear Parishioners,
The asbestos removal has been completed at the old rectory, so we are continuing with our TTT projects. The next step will be the removal of the rectory which will take place in June.
Numerous people have asked how Fr. Matthew and I are enjoying our apartment in the Lee Parish Center. Both of us are very happy with our new living situation. I wish we could have an open house, but we still are limited by COVID-19 restrictions. When things return to some sense of normalcy we hope to invite more people in.
When the school vacated the Lee Parish Center it led to the first floor being pretty much empty. It is good to use this space rather than to let it lie dormant. This will save us a lot of funds in the long term as we consider utilities, insurance and upkeep.
Thanks to all those who have been so generous to our TTT campaign. We now are moving into our Tier III projects. We have a long way to go, but we have come a far piece already.
May Our Lady and All the Angels and Saints watch over you.
Fr. Mark