Gospel in Art: Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul

The Conversion of Saint Paul, Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio 1601 © Odescalchi Balbi Collection, Rome

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 25 January 2024
Mark 16:15-18

Jesus showed himself to the Eleven and said to them:

'Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation. He who believes and is baptised will be saved; he who does not believe will be condemned. These are the signs that will be associated with believers: in my name they will cast out devils; they will have the gift of tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and be unharmed should they drink deadly poison; they will lay their hands on the sick, who will recover.'

Reflection on the painting

Caravaggio died as a young man. He was only 38. Our painting is one of at least two paintings by Caravaggio of the same subject, the Conversion of Saint Paul, which we celebrate today. The other is the Conversion of Saint Paul on the Road to Damascus, which is in the Cerasi Chapel of Santa Maria del Popolo, Rome. That version has the classic depiction of Paul being knocked off his horse, his arms outstretched to heaven. Our painting today (at the Odescalchi Balbi Collection, Rome) is a lesser known painting, but in my view, even more dramatic. The painting shows the moment when Saul of Tarsus on his way to Damascus to annihilate the Christian community there, is struck blind by a brilliant bright light. He hears the voice of Christ saying 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me'? Indeed, the light is the main feature in our painting too: the irrational light coming from multiple sources, highlighting various details for their dramatic impact.

We see Christ in the top right corner being held back by an angel, talking to Saint Paul. Jesus is depicted as almost any of the other figures in the painting. Only the angel supporting him gives away that he is from a different realm. Paul's Roman clothes are already stripped off him, signalling his conversion. I think there is no better way to illustrate what 'conversion' truly means than in the life of Saint Paul. Conversion signifies a total change. Stripping off the old, for the new.

Paul's identity, purpose, motivation, attitude and entire way of life were completely changed in this very moment. His purpose of destroying those who believed in Christ shifted to making known Christ's message to all unbelievers. There can be no greater conversion than this. Hence the drama of this story always fits in so well with the drama Caravaggio is able to convey pictorially.

If we can be as open as Paul was to the Lord's transforming grace at work within us, we too will be able to say with Paul, 'It is no longer I but Christ who lives in me'.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/mark-16-15-18-2024/