This Sunday the Cathedral is celebrating the Conversion of Paul on the Damascus road. The key reading for this Feast comes from the Acts of the Apostles, the second part of Luke’s connected narrative that traces the Gospel of Jesus from its roots embedded in the Hebrew scriptures to its journey to Rome at the very heart of the Gentile world. For Luke the conversion of Paul was central to this connected narrative announced so clearly by Simeon who greeted the infant Jesus in the temple with the prophetic acknowledgement: ‘a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.’ It is helpful to note that Saul and Paul are two names for the same person: one Hebrew and the other Greek. 

For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of Roman Empire. In today’s picture Teddy Horsley is preparing for the service by visiting the Colosseum in Rome.  

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Lord Jesus Christ, 

you made yourself known 

to Paul on the Damascus road, 

and commissioned him to travel to Rome. 

Inspire us by Paul’s example 

to share our faith in you 

with those who shape our world; 

for your name’s sake. 

Amen. 

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Next Sunday, the Cathedral is keeping the Feast of Candlemas, the Presentation of Christ in the Temple. The image to help prepare for next Sunday’s theme is lights. You can find out more about that theme by looking at the Educational Resources and the Preparation Resources.  

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