SAINT PAUL

 

Mariam read St Paul's Letter to the Romans.

She told Rabbi Jesus, "This letter broadly shows much, and how spiritually we are . . . "

The Rabbi answered, ". . . fashioned into a new humanity."

Mariam mused, "In these pages we . . ."

The Rabbi quietly completed, ". . . track the footprints of Saul until you come face to face with Paul; the man, the model, the mentor, the mystery.

And learn the greatest of graces from him; what it means to have new life, to be a new and fresh humanity free from the evil, the corruption, the depression of sin."

The History of Saint Paul, the Apostle with David Suchet (Part One) Our History

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmewUegQiN4

Part Two may be further found on Youtube

With thanks to Youtube

ETHICS

 

Mariam admired the writings of St Paul.

She told Rabbi Jesus, "Highly ethical inferences . . . "

The Rabbi answered, ". . . are drawn by Paul's sure hand down the pages of the historical documents, which through the passage of time have become his testimonial: Romans and his letter."

There are fourteen letters, also called epistles, which are ascribed to the apostle Paul. They are included in the holy scriptures of the New Testament Church. They are:

- Letter to the Romans

- First Letter to the Corinthians, which includes St Paul's hymn to love: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

- Second Letter to the Corinthians

- Letter of St Paul to the Galatians

- Letter of St Paul to the Ephesians

- Letter to the Philippians

- Letter to the Colossians

- First Letter  to the Thessalonians

- Second Letter to the Thessalonians

- First Letter to Timothy 

- Second Letter to Timothy

- Letter to Titus

- Letter to Philemon

- Letter to the Hebrews. More a treatise than a letter, this book contains no claim of authorship but is attributed to followers of Paul.

Why not read them?

- 

GIFT

Mariam was reading St Paul's letter to the Romans, verses 6 to 11. 

She said to Rabbi Jesus, "Your love for us is . . ."

The Rabbi answered, ". . . a free and ardent gift."

HOPE

 

Mariam was reading chatper 5 of St Paul's Letter to the Romans.

She remarked to Rabbi Jesus, "Paul's concept of hope stands fast through all the vagaries of life, and ultimately builds our character and our particular spirituality . . . "

The Rabbi answered, ". . . forged by the hammer of the anvil of God."

Individual holiness is often won through the crucible of difficulty. God allows the purification of each soul through life lessons which, at times, may appear hard. Yet despite temporal difficulties, our hope is eternal: Christ died for us that we may gain eternal life.

LIES

 

Someone had lied to Mariam, and the lies now were being put to the test.

Mariam reached out to Rabbi Jesus for guidance, "There is a day of reckoning . . . "

The Rabbi answered, "And the day is now."

Do not lie. Untruths always come out - if not directly, years later. And if not in this lifetime, before the Judgement Seat of Almighty God in the next.

FOOTPRINTS

 

Mariam held love and prayer in her heart for people now far away, who had made her happy and joyous.

She told Rabbi Jesus, "They changed my life."

The Master answered, "They left their footprints in your heart."

Mariam pondered. Her friends - who had walked into her affection - had changed her life with their love, understanding, humor, patience and the gleam of Christ she had seen within them.

LONELINESS

 

Mariam lived the single life, often alone - at times lonely. She asked Rabbi Jesus, "Why did this have to be?" The Master answered her, "You are destined for greater things."

Mariam sighed, "It is a path that is lonely."

Rabbi Jesus gently replied, "So was mine."

Sometimes loneliness is the price to be paid for availability for ministry, whether in family or community. Be courageous - loneliness is fleeting, the joy of serving the Lord is not.