Reading
Galatians 1:11
I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel that was proclaimed by me is not of human origin; for I did not receive it from a human source, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
Devotion
This week's painting honors the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, usually on 25 January but moved to 26 January this year due to it falling on a Sunday. This fresco by Michelangelo (1475-1564) is entitled The Conversion of Saul. It dwells in the Pauline Chapel (Cappella Paolina) not far from the Sistine Chapel. When I was there in 2023, I attempted to view it, however, it was not on the tourist path. I was unable to convince anyone that I should be allowed to see it. Drat!
Jesus is in the upper left of the scene and appears dramatically. There is a rift in the heavens and light streams down. We can look at the tumbled Saul's, soon to be Paul's, eyes and see under them the same bright white. Michealangelo apparently modeled Saul on himself as an old man, troubled by his faith. In all likelihood Saul would have been much younger. Each of the major figures, Jesus and Saul, are surrounded by startled and astonished attendants. This time on pondering the painting I was struck by the intense attention to anatomical detail. Every muscle seems strained and stressed, especially the poor horse. The poses of the figures create an energy of movement, stress, and tension.
Stress and tension are almost always precursors to spiritual growth. Jesus can come to anyone. The Spirit blows where she will. Perhaps God is working these things out even now?
Prayer
Holy Spirit,
I open my mind and heart to You now.
Where I have chosen fear, help me choose love.
Where I have clung to judgment, teach me forgiveness.
Where I have seen separation, reveal to me our oneness.
Let my thoughts be guided by truth,
my words be born of kindness,
and my actions reflect the peace You give.
I surrender the self I made,
that I may remember the Self You created in me.
Today, I accept the miracle of a new way of seeing.
May my life be a witness to Your light,
and may I walk in the joy of knowing I am home in You.
Amen.