This Sunday we have one of the great transformational stories to consider. The conversion of Saul to Paul on the road to Damascus is perhaps the most dramatic “U-turn” in history. One moment, Saul is a man fuelled by religious zeal and “breathing threats and murder” against the early church; the next, he is blinded by a light from heaven, trembling on the ground, and addressing Jesus, the very one he sought to persecute.
For centuries, this moment has served as a profound reminder that no one – no matter how hardened or fixed they are in their path – is beyond the reach of God’s infinite grace.
Artists across the ages have been obsessed with capturing the sheer power of this encounter. Two masters in particular offer us different windows into the event.
Michelangelo, The Divine Encounter (1542–1545) whose massive fresco is in the Vatican, presents the scene as a cosmic upheaval. Christ leans down from the heavens, a bolt of light striking Saul like a physical blow. The air is thick with angels and fearful soldiers. It reminds us that when God intervenes, He often disrupts our entire world, shaking the foundations of everything we thought we knew.
Pieter Bruegel the Elder: Lost in the Crowd (1567). Bruegel takes a fascinatingly different approach. He sets the scene in a vast, mountainous Alpine pass. If you look at the painting, Saul is actually quite small and almost “lost” in a massive column of 16th-century soldiers. Bruegel suggests that God meets us right in the middle of our “business as usual.” Even when we are surrounded by the noise and bustle of our daily lives, God can single us out for a personal encounter which is a great and wonderful thought.
And there are other paintings (we’ll spend some time considering Caravaggio’s 1601 masterpiece as our reflection on Sunday), as well as musicals. There’s a musical called ‘Go Paul, Go’ from 1977 which received critical acclaim in a local setting – but more about that on Sunday.
Paul’s story is the ultimate proof that God can repurpose our lives. He didn’t just stop Paul; He redirected his passion. The same energy Paul used to tear down the church was the energy God used to build it up. This teaches us that our past mistakes or misdirected zeal are not deal-breakers for God – they are often the very things He intends to transform for His glory.
We invite you to join us this Sunday, January 25th, as we reflect on our own “U-turns” and the God who guides them. We have two opportunities to worship:
St Mary’s, Kings Worthy: We will be holding Breakfast Church, an informal and interactive service where we’ll explore Paul’s story over coffee and breakfast (from 9.40am).
St Swithun’s, Headbourne Worthy: There will be a traditional Service of Holy Communion focusing on the profound theological shift from Saul to Paul.
Both services begin at 10:00am. Whether you are mid-turn, facing a new direction, or just looking for a fresh start, you are most welcome at either service.
God bless,
Revd Paul