"I do not lie."

 

The Conversion of Saint Paul

     I saw an exchange this morning between a reporter and a politician. I found it revealing that the one did not want it to be that what one was saying was right and the other wrong. When did it become reasonable to have a conversation about facts and it did not have to be decided that someone was right and someone was wrong? Yes, there can be different interpretations of trends and developing information. A fact, however, is a piece of evidence which anchors truth away from deception.  To be clear, this was not a conversation about a subjective matter, nor simply an opinion.

     Saint Paul did not invent the truth or the proper identification of right and wrong. He did, however, provide a significant anchor for the faithful reality that Jesus of Nazareth was raised from the dead. He "switched sides" because God moved him. Other knew him and noticed. Truth is not relative, but it is relational. One person does not possess the truth, but it is known and attested by multiple witnesses.

Galatians 1:11-24

For 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. You have heard, no doubt, of my earlier life in Judaism. I was violently persecuting the church of God and was trying to destroy it. I advanced in Judaism beyond many among my people of the same age, for I was far more zealous for the traditions of my ancestors. 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. Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days; but I did not see any other apostle except James the Lord’s brother. In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie! Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia, and I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea that are in Christ; they only heard it said, “The one who formerly was persecuting us is now proclaiming the faith he once tried to destroy.” And they glorified God because of me.

Great God, we thank you for choosing Paul. We praise you for showing us the way through revelations, witnesses, examples, and most especially through relationships. Guide us, we pray, to be faithful witnesses to your truth. Let our lives show your change. God, we lift before you those who are in need of your changing truth,... We ask your loving and healing presence to bring healthy change to those who are sick or in need,... Lead us all by your powerful Holy Spirit, in whose Name we pray. Amen.