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Holy Cross Abbey

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Conversion of Saint Paul

January 25, 2024 by Fr Joseph

In describing his own dramatic conversion from being a persecutor of Christ to becoming his zealous disciple, Paul was also detailing some of the inspiration for his later teaching on the Mystical Body of Christ. This great mystery affirms an ineffable and complete union of Christ with his disciples. Thus, his protest: Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? In these words, we hear Christ’s other teaching according to which: Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me. Among other things, this teaching highlights the great dignity that is ours in Christ. Baptized into his Mystical Body, we grow into that blessed state in which we can say with Paul—I have been crucified with Christ; yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me. So complete is this union within the Mystical Body that whatever is done—good or ill—to any member is done both to Christ and to all his Members. This is something we need to constantly bear in mind: For, it is not only seriously malevolent acts like persecution and physical harm that when done to a believer, are done to Christ—all failures in charity, kindness, compassion, and mercy, are likewise done to Christ. Every time we speak ill of another, unfairly judge and criticize a brother, we are doing this to Christ. Every failure to reach out, help, and do good for another is to have turned our backs on Christ. So on this feast of this great Apostle, let us pray for the grace to never forget both the positive and potentially negative consequences of being Members of Christ’s Mystical Body. Absent this awareness our desire to grow closer to Christ will be repeatedly thwarted and our conversion, unlike Paul’s, remain incomplete.

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