Many Christian Institutions have St Paul as their Patron. Will it not be a surprise, when you come to know that Paul, as a young man, persecuted the Christians and put some to death and threw others into prison! Here is a summary of the life of this very remarkable person.
He was born to orthodox Jewish parents. He was named SAUL, after the first king of Israel. As a young boy, he was deeply religious . Saul was very zealous for his faith and this is what made him intolerant to other beliefs.
One day, Saul and his companions were on their way to Damascus, with the intention of taking the Christian prisoners and marching them off to Jerusalem. As they were nearing the gates of Damascus, suddenly a dazzling light appeared from above and Saul and his companions were thrown off their horses, Saul heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me”? Saul replied, “Who are you Lord”? The reply came, “I am Jesus and you are persecuting me”.
This was the turning point of Saul’s Life. Saul, the persecutor of the Christians, now became best known preacher. There was no turning back for Saul. HE GAVE UP HIS JEWISH NAME SAUL AND HENCEFORTH WAS KNOWN AS PAUL. He went from place to place in Asia Minor preaching fearlessly that Jesus was the Saviour of the world. He had to suffer much from the Jews because of his preaching about Jesus but that did not deter him. Paul and faith in Jesus were now inseparable. Paul’s learning can well be gauged from the many letters he wrote to different Christian Communities. It has been said that Jesus gave the world THE GOOD NEWS but it was Paul who gave the world the systematic study of the Good News and derived from it the foundations of religious beliefs and the principles of true discipleship. Paul is chosen as the Patron of many Educational Institutions because of his undivided attentions to SEEK THE TRUTH, and having discovered the Truth, there was no turning back.
All the Education is about the discovery and pursuit of that Truth which defines our relationship with God and our Fellowmen. On this one knowledge depends our success as human beings and our life’s mission here on earth.
Paul’s life is an example of that Single Minded Devotion to the Truth; here are his words “But I do not count my life of any value to myself if only, I may finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus to testify to the Good News of God’s Grace”.
May St Paul guide us to SEEK, ENDURE and DISCOVER the TRUTH.
