In honor of the Conversion of Saint Paul, I offer you this story that I heard in a homily in minor seminary:
Friends, popular art tells us that St. Paul was riding a horse, and he fell off when God spoke to him. I had a similar experience. One day I decided to try horseback riding, even though I had had no lessons or prior experience. I mounted the horse unassisted and the horse immediately sprang into motion. He galloped along at a steady and rhythmic pace, but then I began to slip from the saddle.
In terror, I grabbed for the horse's mane, but could not seem to get a firm grip. I tried to throw my arms around the horse's neck, but I slid down the side of the horse anyway. The horse galloped, and galloped, and galloped along, seemingly oblivious to me falling off. Finally, I gave up and tried to jump away from the horse and throw myself to safety.
Unfortunately, my foot had become entangled in the stirrup, and I was at the mercy of the horse's pounding hooves as my head struck against the ground over and over and over. I was mere moments away from unconsciousness when to my great fortune . . . the Supermarket manager saw me and shut the horse off.
Happy St. Paul Day!
2 comments:
That's not funny. I have really been dragged by a horse.
Plus, there is no mention of a horse in Act 9:1-9. Saul merely 'fell to the ground.'
Phew! I was gettin' pretty worried, there!
What is about fallin' off horses that brings folks closer to God? There's the humility it naturally brings, I suppose.
St. Francis de Sales, patron of writers as I understand it, was reportedly slow to answer his calling. The story I heard was that he was thrown from his horse three times, and each time his sword shook free of its scabbard and the two landed on the ground in a distinct cross ...
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