Final thoughts on The Year of Saint Paul
 

June 29th, the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, officially brings the Year of St Paul to a close. This will be celebrated the world all over. The Archdiocese of Southwark will gather at Aylesford Priory with Archbishop Kevin, on Saturday, June 27th, to formally end this Year of St Paul with a solemn Eucharist and Celebration of the Word of God.

During this past year, Catholics have prayed, studied Paul, attended lectures and seminars and read loads of material on Paul - more than ever before. As we formally end this great year dedicated to Paul, the apostle to the gentiles, what is the way forward for us and particularly for me? What lessons have we learnt from the life and teachings of this great apostle?

I imagine we can each respond for ourselves. Our responses should reassure and strengthen us to be better disciples of Jesus today. For instance, Blessed James Alberione of Alba, Italy, saw a most fascinating aspect of Paul many years ago that led him to establish ten religious institutes under the patronage of St. Paul: ‘his intimacy with Jesus and his zeal for the mission of preaching’: “For me life is Christ”.  Philippians  1:21.

I must say, it has been a very enriching year for me. The lesson I treasure from this Year of Paul is to keep hope alive. Paul’s life reinforces my hope, to be positive when things are not right, when I am challenged by difficulties in life, to trust that God can still use me mightily to accomplish great things for Him today. For when I am weak then I am strong.

If Paul, who was a murderer, can turn around by God’s grace, to be so zealous and committed an apostle, I too can turn around by the same grace of God from my ‘sinful habits’ - it is never too late. I must strive daily to trust God and allow Him use me. At the same time, I must work on myself and be willing to become better. "O that today you would listen to his voice harden not your hearts." Psalm 94:7-8

Prayer

St Paul, apostle to the gentiles, make me zealous for my faith, let me burn with the desire to love Jesus and to make him known in all I do and say. Amen.