4 October 2022

But when God, who had set me apart before I was born and called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, so that I might proclaim him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with any human being, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were already apostles before me, but I went away at once into Arabia, and afterwards I returned to Damascus.
From Galatians 1:13-24, NRSV

Paul continues to assert his authority as someone called directly by God. To emphasise this authority, he recalls how he used to behave before his conversion when he was intent on persecuting the Church of God, and contrasts this with how completely different his life became as the apostle Paul. He wants those hearing his words to realise that he had no need to receive the affirmation of the other apostles since he had been directly called by God who had “set him apart” from before his birth. Paul was so certain of his call that he even stood up to the apostle Peter and convinced him to change his mind about the need to follow some aspects of the Jewish law.

• • Why is Paul having to work so hard to assert his authority?
  • Can you identify people in our own time who speak with the same conviction as Paul?

Pray for those, like Paul, who meet opposition in their efforts to preach the Gospel. You may also like to reflect on the life of St. Francis of Assisi whose feast we celebrate today.

Image: By Valentin de Boulogne  https://commons.wikimedia.org