The Great Lion of God

Copyright © 2008
Gallup Independent
By Mary Ann Montoya
Special to the Independent

“For he was a veritable lion, a red lion, the great lion of God.”
— St. Augustine

I was introduced to Saul of Tarsus, later St. Paul, an amazing man of the New Testament, through a novel, “The Great Lion of God” by Taylor Caldwell. Her depiction gave me an insight to the world of his era. I had heard his words read at many liturgies throughout my life, but I didn’t really understand what had motivated him other than this flowery and very descriptive novel.

As I matured in my spiritual walk in the Holy Spirit, I became more aware of what drove St. Paul to such an intense love for God. Saul enters the scene of the early church through Acts of the Apostles written by St. Luke, author of Luke’s Gospel and Acts. (Caldwell also wrote “Dear and Glorious Physician” about St. Luke.) Through St. Luke, Saul’s conversion story is chronicled, and later St. Paul’s letters give a revelation into his own odyssey after his astounding encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 9:1-30.

Today, St. Paul continues to impact the church through his epistles to the early Christians. Many books have been published about him and many documentaries have been made about his ministry. A memorable one is ‘The Footsteps of St. Paul’ by Peter Jennings. These visual aids have brought him to life for many of us that have seen him through scripture only. He was after all a Jew in his time and a Christian after his conversion, the right man for that time.

Pope Benedict XVI has proclaimed the Year of St. Paul beginning June 28, 2008 to June 29, 2009. The opening of the year started with a vigil Mass at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome, June 28, 2008. It will be a time for many Christians to delve deeper into the man, who was known as the Apostle to the Gentiles.

The Roman Catholic Church will make available websites and study guides to help us learn more about him and how he still reaches through the ages to teach and guide us on our spiritual journey. Being open to the Holy Spirit as St. Paul was, will help us probe deeper into what conversion can accomplish in our own lives.

My husband and I were blessed to be on a pilgrimage in France and Italy this summer. We were with a group of sixty people from throughout New Mexico. In Rome on June 28, our tour guides announced that they had obtained tickets to the papal Mass for the next day, the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, at St. Peter’s Basilica. We were moved to tears. We had been looking forward to the Angelus and the Holy Father’s blessing, but this was beyond our hope to participate in the Mass there, the heart of the Roman Catholic Church.

Early next morning, we joined countless pilgrims streaming into St. Peter’s Square and the Basilica. We didn’t even mind security as we anticipated entering that sacred space, where the Vicar of Christ would be celebrating Mass. The grandeur of the church, Swiss Guard in their colorful uniforms, cardinals, bishops, priests, religious and the famous boys’ choir we see on television were a vision in real time and space. Then the music and hymn started and the procession of clergy with the Pope took our breath away. The Mass with all its “smells and bells” carried us into the rich ritual of the Roman Catholic liturgy. The Mass wherever it may be celebrated is the center of our worship, but to be present at a Mass celebrated by the Chief Shepherd is a blessed privilege indeed.

After Mass, we followed the flow of pilgrims spilling out into St. Peter’s Square with its obelisk and fountain as its centerpieces. Our tour next took us to the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, the place where the remains of St. Paul rest. A huge statue of the apostle is in the center of the courtyard with a statue of his friend, St. Luke, to his left near the colonnade of the church.

The experience of being in the churches and streets of the Vatican and Rome brought to light the essence of the people who lived and died for their faith. The early church as the church today continues to be persecuted and St. Paul is the poster apostle for those who are suffering for their faith. In 1Cor. 4:12b-13, St. Paul says, “When we are insulted, we respond with a blessing. Persecution comes our way; we bear it patiently. We are slandered, and we try conciliation. We have become the world’s refuse, the scum of all; that is the present state of affairs.” NAB

Living the Year of St. Paul can connect us with that prolific writer of the epistles and identify with those bishops who take their episcopal mottos from his writings. We can believe that he was “the great lion of God” by his roar that can still be heard through the centuries calling us to the life Jesus Christ offers us as He did His early followers. As in his opening in his letter to the Romans, we can appreciate, “Greetings from Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart to proclaim the gospel of God,” Romans 1:1.

Mary Ann Montoya is a member of San Rafael Parish in San Rafael, N.M. She serves as a lector, choir member, and a RCIA team member. She can be contacted via email: flordelsol45@yahoo.com

This column is written by area residents, representing different faith communities, who share their ideas about bringing a spiritual perspective into our daily lives and community issues. For information about contributing a guest column, contact Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola at The Independent: (505) 863-6811 ext. 218 or lizreligion01@yahoo.com.