February 18, 2009

Revisiting the Year of St. Paul

Tips for making the most of the jubilee year honoring the Apostle to the Gentiles

By Julie Filby

The Year of St. Paul is more than half-way over, ending June 29. Are you making the most of this jubilee year, which marks the 2,000th anniversary of Paul’s birth?

St. Paul can be intimidating—artwork often depicts him wielding a sword, with an angry face and furrowed brow. His personality at times seems Type A and militant. Scholars say these impressions are false.

“Before his conversion, it is evident that St. Paul struggled with violence and anger,” said Anthony Lilles, academic dean at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary. “After his conversion, we see evidence of great meekness and compassion—the kind that only Christ can produce in a soul.”

Regarding sword imagery, Lilles said saints are often depicted with the instrument in which they were martyred. As a Roman citizen, Paul could not be stoned or crucified; so he was beheaded.

Additionally, his sword represents the “sword of truth.”

“Paul’s sword is a symbol of the word of God,” explained Tim Gray, president of the Augustine Institute and professor of sacred Scripture at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary. “The book of Hebrews says God’s word is sharper than a two-edged sword piercing into the heart” (Heb 4:11-12).

The saint’s words and example pierced the hearts of many.

“Without St. Paul, most of the gentiles would not be Christian today,” said Lilles. “Roman Catholics in particular should be grateful for his work because he helped found the Church in Rome.”

St. Paul had a deep affection for the Church and early Christians. According to Gray, when reading Paul’s writing, what comes out is someone who was totally in love with Jesus Christ.

“It was St. Paul’s personal relationship with Jesus that changed his heart forever,” he said.

Prior to his conversion, Paul was a Jew—an incredibly strict, self-described Hebrew of Hebrews. He was exceptionally concerned with the law and practiced it perfectly.

Following his encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus, en-route to arrest and execute Christians, Paul “emerged as a new spiritual leader of the infant Church” (Acts 9). He began spreading Christianity with the same zeal he had for Judaism, with a notable difference. While his Jewish faith was bound primarily by law, his Christian faith was bound by a person: Jesus Christ.

“When Paul converted from a strict Pharisee to a devout Christian, he expressed that there were laws and rules,” Gray said. “But those rules have to be in context of a relationship with God.”

This message remains relevant today: Do we live our Catholic faith simply as a set of rules (by following the commandments)? Or are we really seeking to know Jesus?

Gray went on to say that once we love Christ, the rules come naturally and they’re secondary. He often uses marriage as an example.

“Marriage has a lot of rules, but it wasn’t the rules that made me want to be married. It was the love I had for my wife,” he said. “Once I was married, the rules weren’t a burden.”

Here are some ways to commemorate the remainder of the Year of St. Paul and strengthen your personal relationship with Jesus.

• Make a pilgrimage. According to Lilles, the most important thing to do is to make a pilgrimage. This dimension of faith is rooted in reality—Paul was a real man. Ideally, nothing compares to visiting one of the designated St. Paul sites in Rome. Closer to home, visit one of the Denver Archdiocese’s pilgrimage sites: Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in downtown Denver, St. Paul in Idaho Springs or Sts. Peter and Paul in Wheat Ridge.

• Seek a plenary indulgence. A plenary indulgence is generally attached to a pilgrimage. Pope Benedict XVI approved a plenary indulgence for Catholics who participate in Pauline year events and fulfill the usual conditions, which are to go to confession, receive the Eucharist and to pray for the pontiff’s intentions. To share an analogy: If going to confession is like vacuuming your carpet, a plenary indulgence is like steam cleaning! Pope John Paul II described indulgences as therapeutic—as a way to heal spiritual wounds.

• Read and reflect on St. Paul’s writings. Gray suggested starting with a commitment to reading two or three pages a day of 1 or 2 Corinthians. Read slowly and meditate on the word of God. Also consider reading the story of Paul’s life, starting with Acts 8. To enhance your understanding, join or start a Bible study group. One study to consider is “St. Paul: A Bible Study for Catholics” by Father Mitch Pacwa, S.J.

• Have regular conversations with St. Paul. Ask for the intercession of St. Paul, similar to asking advice from a trusted friend. Paul worked tirelessly for unity. Is there a division or rift with someone in your life that needs attention? Pray a novena to St. Paul. Pray for all the countries in which Paul traveled.

• Participate in liturgical and educational events. Contact your parish or the Denver Catholic Register (303-715-3215) for events devoted to the Pauline year such as lectures, retreats and Masses. The accompanying event round-up will help get you started. For more information, visit archden.org/yearofstpaul.

• Engage in acts of charity. St. Paul taught about concern for the poor and vulnerable. Take dinner to a friend or neighbor who is sick or suffering, support the poor with donations of food or cash, help an unwed mother with your prayers and support, or fight for the rights of the unborn by contacting legislators.

• Evangelize: In declaring this the Year of St. Paul, Pope Benedict XVI focuses on Pope John Paul II’s call for a new evangelization. What better model for the new evangelization than this hero of the early Church? Paul brought hope and light to a dark, pagan culture. Every Catholic is called to do the same today. Sign up to teach religious education. Volunteer at your parish. Participate in discussions and bravely defend the Catholic faith, as Paul did.