The Conversion of St. Paul

Originally published in the bulletin of St. Vincent Ferrer Church, Delray Beach, FL on January 22, 2023

In 1601, the Italian artist Caravaggio painted a work called “The Conversion on the Way to Damascus (Conversione di San Paolo).” This magnificent work depicts Saul, thrown off his horse, looking into a light shining down on him from heaven. The work is regarded as a masterpiece, and can still be seen at Cerasi Chapel of the church of Santa Maria del Popolo, in Rome.

 It would be hard to not emphasis enough the effect of St. Paul’s conversion. Saul, as he was then still known, was a devout Jew, who was on his way to Damascus to arrest and persecute Jews who believed Jesus was the promised Messiah. He was known as an enemy of the Christians and was present at the death of St. Stephen, the first martyr, who was stoned to death.

 In Acts of the Apostles, we are told “Now Saul, still breathing murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, that, if he should find any men or women who belonged to the Way,* he might bring them back to Jerusalem in chains.” On that journey, Saul saw a light from the sky, and he fell to the ground. He heard Jesus say: ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” (Acts 9:1-5)

 Notice that Jesus does not say “you are persecuting my followers, those who believe in me.” Rather, Jesus directly states that in persecuting those who believe in Christ, Saul is persecuting Christ himself. Here, in just a few words, Jesus acknowledges that we are his body. St. Paul will reiterate this in 1 Cor 12:12, stating “As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ.”

 We know that Saul’s conversion had a powerful effect on the Church. Indeed, much of the New Testament covers Paul’s travels and preaching. Although he was not one of the twelve, he has been given the title of Apostle, and, more specifically, Apostle to the Gentiles. Without Paul’s knowledge, education and enthusiasm, the Church would have likely spread much more slowly, and have faced even greater prosecution.

Oh, and Carravagio’s painting? That horse is magnificent, but no where in scripture is it ever stated that Paul was on, or even had, a horse. Art may inspire us, but scripture is where we find the Word of God.