St. Paul was a Jew called Saul. He was great Jewish scholar. He knew all the rules and regulations of the Jewish religion. He lived at a time when Christianity was a young religion and it had been rapidly growing. Saul a young man of the day, saw to it that he had authority from his religious head to persecute and kill people who were accepting Christ’s teaching and becoming his followers. One day as he was on the way to Damascus to persecute and kill Christians, he was struck off his horse and he fell – he saw a dazzling light from heaven which blinded him and he heard a voice “Saul, Saul, Why do you persecute me?” And Saul asked “Who are you Lord”? “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting” said Jesus.
Once he experienced Jesus, he accepted him as his God and Master. He became a staunch believer and preacher, putting his own life in danger. He taught Christ and his values. Values that are simple TRUTH itself. He has written about VALUES in the New Testament of the Bible, called the letters of Paul.
His famous teaching includes these valuable lines. “I may be able to speak the languages of men and even of angels, but if I have no LOVE, my speech in no more than a noisy gong or a clanging bell. I may have the gift of inspired preaching; I may have all knowledge and understand all secrets; I may have all the faith needed to move mountains – I may give away everything I have, and even give up my body to be burnt – but if I have no LOVE this does me no good.
Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud; love is not ill- mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs; love is not happy with evil, but is happy with the TRUTH. Love never gives up; and its faith, hope and patience never fail. Love is eternal.”