THE P
RTAL
Thoughts on Newman
January 2013 Page 14
One in Mind and Heart : Newman and St Paul
by Br Sean of The Work
Very soon we shall be celebrating the solemnity of the Conversion of St Paul . His feast also marks the end of the week of Christian Unity , and is therefore of special importance for The Ordinariate . The affinity between Newman and St Paul is remarkable . Newman looked to the writings of primitive Christianity to find what he described as the beau idéal of the Church – authenticity in doctrine , Christian living and worship . Newman found a similar communion of mind and heart in St Paul . The way into the Church for both these men was a long and painful one . Despite their trials , the conversions of both these men were moments of immense joy and peace .
least of the Apostles
In the second volume of Newman ’ s Parochial and Plain Sermons we find a sermon entitled : The Feast of the Conversion of St Paul . His Conversion viewed in reference to His Office . Here Newman helps us to understand why of all people Paul had been chosen as God ’ s instrument . Newman explained that the other apostles were no less sinners than Paul , but because Paul had persecuted the Church , he considered himself as the least of the Apostles - in Newman ’ s words : ‘ in the history of sin and its most gracious forgiveness , he [ Paul ] exemplifies far more than his brother Apostles his own Gospel , that we are all guilty before God , and can be saved only by His free bounty .’
a conversion of mind
Newman goes a step further . It is not only the experience of his sinfulness which makes Paul apt for his future mission , but more importantly that he underwent a conversion of mind . ‘ Though he had never been polluted with heathen immorality and profaneness , he had entertained views and sentiments very far from Christian , and he experienced a conversion to which the other Apostles were strangers .’ Newman was aware that it is not easy to understand the religious views of people who have been brought up in a religious system different from our own . the religious views of people who have been brought up in a religious system different from our own . Paul had to undergo a radical change of mind which ‘ imparted to him a practical wisdom .’
This conversion of mind helped Paul to know ‘ the hearts of men ’ on their journey toward truth . Newman even goes so far as to call Paul ‘ an earthly Paraclete , the comforter , help and guide of his brethren .’
Newman is also keen to show Paul ’ s spiritual cast of mind before his conversion . Paul , Newman says , ‘ kept a clear conscience , and habitually obeyed God according to his knowledge .’ As he did not have full knowledge of the Christian truth , his conscience told him to do partly what was wrong and partly what was right . However Paul was always striving to be obedient , and was therefore able to obey Christ when he appeared to him before the gates of Damascus . For Newman this is the great difference between Paul ’ s sin and the sin of those who are too proud to convert , be they Jews or Gentiles .
Pride hardens the heart and makes us incapable of receiving God ’ s forgiveness . ‘ The Holy Spirit is quenched by open transgressions of conscience and by contempt of His authority ’, Newman writes . Similarly Newman emphasised that God can also lead on all those who have the same inner disposition as Paul . ‘ God leads them on to the light , in spite of their errors in faith , if they continue strictly to obey what they believe to be His will .’
a gradual conversion
Unlike Paul , Newman ’ s conversion was not sudden , but gradual . We can see his inner disposition which led him to that day in the last sentences of his homily : ‘ Who has not felt a fear lest he be wandering from the true doctrine of Christ ?
Let him cherish and obey the holy light of conscience with him , as Saul did ; … and the God who had mercy even on the persecutor of His saints , will assuredly shed His grace upon him , and bring him into the truth as it is in Jesus .’
With special thanks to Sr Mary Dechant FSO