Paul’s conversion was a life-long turning to Christ. So should ours be

The feast of the conversion of St Paul marks one of the most powerful redemption stories in Christian history. But what can it teach us today? Samuel Tarr looks at what it really means to be converted to Christ

January 25 marks the feast day of the conversion of St Paul. We all know the story of the Pharisee who persecuted the Church before being blinded by a great light as he travelled to Damascus. “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” (Acts 9:4) said a voice; “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked in reply. “I am Jesus,” the voice said.

Three days later, God sent Ananias to retore Saul’s sight; he baptised him and Saul immediately began preaching Christ. Relating the incident in Galatians 1, Saul, now renamed Paul, writes that God “called me through his grace…that I might preach him among the Gentiles” (v15-16). It is in large part because Paul accepted this calling that people across the world have heard the saving message of Jesus Christ. It is through Paul’s voice that we hear God say: “Those who were not my people, I will call my people” (see Hosea 2:23, Romans 9:25).