ST. PAUL: YESTERYEAR AND THIS YEAR
By Brother John M. Samaha, S.M.
The Church has completed the celebration of the Pauline Year (June 29, 2008-2009) honoring the person and the teachings of the Apostle to the Gentiles on the 2000th anniversary of his birth. In a brief retrospect of this special year let us consider a summary portrait of St. Paul and his magnanimous, captivating, and intense personality.
How did St. Paul do it? What did he speak and write and do to attract so many to Christianity? He was a dynamic evangelizer. There is power to be found in his letters of faith proclaimed years before the gospels were composed.
Effective evangelist
Although he was addressing the people and circumstances of his time when he spoke and wrote, Paul’s theological reflections and ideas resonate today. What he said yesteryear is applicable this year. The meaning of his letters is the same today as it was for his contemporaries. His teaching is remarkable for its richness and appeal. His zeal evidences dynamism and determination.
Paul was the first New Testament author, and therefore the first to record the message and meaning of Jesus’ ministry on earth. He was the first to write about baptism and Eucharist as sacraments. Paul was Christianity’s first theologian, the first to give us a theology – a systematic and detailed explanation of our faith. Later theologians built on Paul’s foundations.
Decisive
St. Paul was a man of action. He did not hesitate to address quickly an error or scandal or problem within any of the Christian communities he assisted. Rapidly and decisively he made his position clear. One reason he communicated so effectively with so many was his strength of will. He was not diverted from the central purpose to which he was dedicated.
From:
Sr Margaret Kerry, fsp
50 St Paul’s Ave
Boston, MA 02130
617-522-8911
Pauline Cooperator Weblog
http://paulinelaity.blogspot.com/
http://paulinecooperators.ning.com/
By Brother John M. Samaha, S.M.
The Church has completed the celebration of the Pauline Year (June 29, 2008-2009) honoring the person and the teachings of the Apostle to the Gentiles on the 2000th anniversary of his birth. In a brief retrospect of this special year let us consider a summary portrait of St. Paul and his magnanimous, captivating, and intense personality.
How did St. Paul do it? What did he speak and write and do to attract so many to Christianity? He was a dynamic evangelizer. There is power to be found in his letters of faith proclaimed years before the gospels were composed.
Effective evangelist
Although he was addressing the people and circumstances of his time when he spoke and wrote, Paul’s theological reflections and ideas resonate today. What he said yesteryear is applicable this year. The meaning of his letters is the same today as it was for his contemporaries. His teaching is remarkable for its richness and appeal. His zeal evidences dynamism and determination.
Paul was the first New Testament author, and therefore the first to record the message and meaning of Jesus’ ministry on earth. He was the first to write about baptism and Eucharist as sacraments. Paul was Christianity’s first theologian, the first to give us a theology – a systematic and detailed explanation of our faith. Later theologians built on Paul’s foundations.
Decisive
St. Paul was a man of action. He did not hesitate to address quickly an error or scandal or problem within any of the Christian communities he assisted. Rapidly and decisively he made his position clear. One reason he communicated so effectively with so many was his strength of will. He was not diverted from the central purpose to which he was dedicated.
From:
Sr Margaret Kerry, fsp
50 St Paul’s Ave
Boston, MA 02130
617-522-8911
Pauline Cooperator Weblog
http://paulinelaity.blogspot.com/
http://paulinecooperators.ning.com/
Every Friday:
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2 comments:
Great site, Easter!
Sr. Margaret Kerry,
Thank you for all the good information you send us Pauline Cooperators!
Much aloha,
Easter:-)
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