Weekly Meditation
Pope Benedict XVI opened The Year of St. Paul with Evening Prayer on the Vigil of the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls -- a year-long observance of the 2000th anniversary of the birth of St. Paul.
Pope Benedict hopes that Catholics around the world will grow in their knowledge of this great Evangelizer and will indeed be moved to follow his example. Evangelization can be described as fully living and freely sharing our faith in Jesus Christ. St. Paul did this himself so generously and so effectively, but as he said, ‘by the grace of God.' He used his gifts and talents but knew it was "Jesus crucified and risen from the dead" who empowered him.
"I am the least of the apostles; in fact because I persecuted the church of God, I do not even deserve the name. But by God's favor I am what I am. This favor of his to me has not proved fruitless". (I Cor. 15:9-10)
We will have all year to learn more about St. Paul. Scripture tells us so much about this great saint. After his encounter with Jesus Christ, St. Paul spent the rest of his life bringing Jesus to the Mediterranean world. St. Paul clearly spoke of how he was changed so deeply.
"I was circumcised on the eighth day, being of the stock of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrew origins; in legal observance I was a Pharisee, and so zealous that I persecuted the church. I was above reproach when it came to justice based on the law. But those things I used to consider gain I have now reappraised as loss in the light of Christ. I have come to rate all as loss in the light of the surpassing knowledge of my Lord Jesus Christ. For his sake I have forfeited everything; I have accounted all else rubbish so that Christ may be my wealth...I wish to know Christ and the power flowing from his resurrection..." (Phil 3: 5-10)
May our encounters with Christ be fruitful for us, especially those encounters with him in the Holy Eucharist and with the ‘least of our brothers and sisters.'
Bishop William R. Houck
President Emeritus, Catholic Extension