| Today we remember St Giles, a hermit who lived for a very long time in Provence. His only companion was a wild deer, which legend says provided him some sustenance through her milk. The deer was being stalked by some hunters, who fired their arrow, which swerved and hit Giles instead. He was wounded, but survived, and later became the patron Saint of physically disabled. He was held in such high esteem because of his humility that the King, with the brilliant name of Wamba, built him a Monastery later called St Giles du Gaud, which Giles placed under the rule of St Benedict. I love all this because the Abbot where I go on retreat is called Giles after this humble hermit. Also with folk thinking of visiting the UK, and having to self isolate, it is worth spending time reflecting on the life of someone who does it voluntarily for years! However, my offering today just picks up on our reading from Morning Prayer. We are continuing through the book of Acts, and today we read the dramatic story of the Conversion of St Paul (Saul) on the road to Damascus. Saul was out to destroy the Church. He had letters giving him authority to bring anyone who belonged to the New Way, bound to Jerusalem. He is the last person anyone would think that God would use to build his Church, but God doesn’t think like we do, and his plans are not our plans. Saul has this powerful religious experience, and is totally transformed, and becomes the greatest Missioner that the church has ever known. Some points we get from this story are It is God who often does the converting No one is outside of the realm of the possibility of doing God’s will People can and do change It is a good job that everything is not up to us, but we trust in the Lord Just because some people are confident about their faith does not mean they have it right (The Benedictines, like St Giles, take a vow of Constant Conversion, so that they are never complacent on their spiritual journey) We can be inspired by people who have done very bad things in the past, and we shouldn’t write people off. A wonderful part of the story for me is the reaction of Ananias, who responds to God calling him to go and lay hands on Saul, by telling God what a ratbag Saul is. But God encourages him saying ‘he is an instrument I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and Kings, and before the people of Israel.’ So Ananias goes, and puts his hand on Saul’s arm and says ‘Brother Saul’. I just love that he calls him Brother. Because Ananias trusts in God, he can let go of all of his fears about Saul, and accept that God is in charge. That laying on of hands, and those intimate words brought clarity and healing to Saul, and he regains his strength, has some food, and then starts to tell the great things that God has done. Let us never underestimate the power of God at work in the lives of those in the receipt of his Grace. Let us never underestimate the power of simple honest touch, and words of welcome and inclusion. Let us never underestimate what God has in store for us! Bless you, Bless you, Bless you. As ever, Fr Marcus |