St. Paul, the Apostle was obviously a child of his time, a man whose life and thought were shaped by conflicting cultures and religions on the day. A man strict in law and wanting to destroy Christianity turned out to be the greatest lover of Jesus Christ.
St. Paul’s significance in the history of Christianity can hardly be underrated: an untiring missionary, the first interpreter of the God’s word to the Gentile world. After his conversion on the road to Damascus, he became one of the church’s foremost evangelizers, first among Jews, then among Gentiles.
On the occasion of its annual concert, this year being declared as a special jubilee year commemorated to St. Paul, Good Shepherd Seminary staged an evening of Opera on St. Paul’s life at its Seminary Auditorium yesterday with Rt. Rev Bishop Michael Akasius Toppo DD, Bishop of Tezpur as the chief guest.
Addressing the event, the chief guest throws out the implication of Paul’s life to the Christians. He said the life of St. Paul, a great missionary and a committed man is an example to all Christians adding “we should be Apostles on our own capacity”.
He remarked nothing could change if Jesus become our Master and lot of hearts could be opened despite lot of oppositions. He stated what each and every person should do and must do is imitate the missionary’s life and to leak out the Gospel of divine love and peace for family and friends. He also expressed happiness over the leadership taken by the GSS to celebrate the jubilee year at Dimapur diocese.
Delivering his welcome note, the Rector of GSS, Rev. Fr. Solomon Vizo also urged to go with the message of St. Paul who unscrupulously devoted his life to strengthen the Church’s faith. The stayed play was complementary.
It is to be noted that Pope Benedict XVI announced Pauline year last Saturday which will run till June 29, 2009 to mark the approximately 2,000th anniversary of the saint’s birth.