I’m sorry about the flak, Bryan.
I thought of St Paul. I imagine he copped a lot of flak from the Jews he’d formerly so strongly supported in their early persecution of Christians. Thank God he did convert anyway, or we’d be missing some of the great books of the New Testament. I wonder, in the end, how many of them were later converted by his courage and example in living the faith?
Saint Paul and conversion
Saul of Tarsus, implacable enemy of apostle and Church, who became zealous Christian and writer of biblical epistles, intercede for radical conversion in all who are presently disinterested or hostile.
Paul, you showed courage of conviction even before you became a zealous apostle of the Kingdom. Please pray that we will be similarly committed. However, please obtain that we will not support any cause that is not sanctioned by the loving will of God.
God granted you conversion to Christian faith. He chose you as a great apostle of the early Church, and through your writing gave precious insights into religious truth.
You, who turned aside from your treasured convictions to follow Jesus and His commands, please intercede for our courage to undertake radical ongoing conversion. Pray that we also may accept whatever risks or ridicule ensues as we follow and teach the truth.
You taught and exhorted, you endured persecution and personal weakness. You suffered from the error and tepidity of others. You longed for death to unite you with God, but you willed to live in order to serve. Paul, pray that we also shall be true apostles of Christ. 1999