May the grace and peace of Jesus HOST embrace you!
One day, knowing that I was rooted in the Pauline spirituality in the footsteps of Blessed Alberione for few years, a good friend of mine asked, “What is your recommendation on a biography of the Apostle Paul for a beginner?” I puzzled for a while and hesitated in my response, “Paul of Tarsus by Joseph Holzner.” Honestly, I’ve been looking for a good biography of St. Paul the Apostle ever since the day of my conversion, in spite of the fact that I lived and breathed in the Pauline formation for a good number of years, I couldn’t find anything that wasn’t over my head, bone dry, or bored me to death. Certainly, many books are out there on the Apostle’s writings in Scripture study sections that I find in every Christian bookstore. However, finding a biography of Paul that increased my desire to be an authentic Pauline left me with a big question mark.
Then last autumn, Pope Benedict XVI proclaimed the Pauline Year from June 29, 2008, to June 29, 2009, I again went all out searching for a good biography. When I almost gave up, I found on my bookshelf, a biography entitled Paul: Least of the Apostles by Alain Decoux. The book’s cover was full of dust but in brand new condition. Yes, you can say that I’m one of those book freaks wanting to read but not making the time for it. I was diagnosed by my mother with a chronic case of book syndrome. Anyway, I took it off my shelf and began to read it for the first time. Much to my surprise, it was an easy reading text that I couldn't let go of...I didn't need to know Scripture or to possess the Pauline spirit to be engaged in it. I just simply read and let the author introduce me to the Apostle Paul by his way of integrating the past and the present to offer a truly exceptional story of the Apostle. In addition, the pictures in the book provide imagery that is so real. I felt that I walked with the Apostle on his journey. At other moments, I was in the crowd listening to his preaching and I was all fired up with Christ’s love.
I don’t know where I’m going...I guess I just want to let you know I found a biography on St Paul and I think it is worth reading. So, if your desire is to know St Paul during the Pauline Year and don’t know where to start, I would like to put my two cents in for this book. Come back and let me know what you think.
Take care and until next time…
One day, knowing that I was rooted in the Pauline spirituality in the footsteps of Blessed Alberione for few years, a good friend of mine asked, “What is your recommendation on a biography of the Apostle Paul for a beginner?” I puzzled for a while and hesitated in my response, “Paul of Tarsus by Joseph Holzner.” Honestly, I’ve been looking for a good biography of St. Paul the Apostle ever since the day of my conversion, in spite of the fact that I lived and breathed in the Pauline formation for a good number of years, I couldn’t find anything that wasn’t over my head, bone dry, or bored me to death. Certainly, many books are out there on the Apostle’s writings in Scripture study sections that I find in every Christian bookstore. However, finding a biography of Paul that increased my desire to be an authentic Pauline left me with a big question mark.
Then last autumn, Pope Benedict XVI proclaimed the Pauline Year from June 29, 2008, to June 29, 2009, I again went all out searching for a good biography. When I almost gave up, I found on my bookshelf, a biography entitled Paul: Least of the Apostles by Alain Decoux. The book’s cover was full of dust but in brand new condition. Yes, you can say that I’m one of those book freaks wanting to read but not making the time for it. I was diagnosed by my mother with a chronic case of book syndrome. Anyway, I took it off my shelf and began to read it for the first time. Much to my surprise, it was an easy reading text that I couldn't let go of...I didn't need to know Scripture or to possess the Pauline spirit to be engaged in it. I just simply read and let the author introduce me to the Apostle Paul by his way of integrating the past and the present to offer a truly exceptional story of the Apostle. In addition, the pictures in the book provide imagery that is so real. I felt that I walked with the Apostle on his journey. At other moments, I was in the crowd listening to his preaching and I was all fired up with Christ’s love.
I don’t know where I’m going...I guess I just want to let you know I found a biography on St Paul and I think it is worth reading. So, if your desire is to know St Paul during the Pauline Year and don’t know where to start, I would like to put my two cents in for this book. Come back and let me know what you think.
Take care and until next time…
