BOOK REPORT
“Saint Paul the Apostle” written by Mary Windeatt in 1949 ( TAN Books) is an inspiring book not only for children but also for adults. It is one of the series of books on the lives of Saints. In 231 pages, the writer has traced the life story of the great Saint Paul, describing his adventures and perils in the sacred journey of his life. There are apt illustrations which help to visualize the circumstances of those times.
This is the story of Saul of Tarsus, who later became St. Paul the Apostle. A Jew by birth, Paul persecuted the followers of New Religion in a cruel manner. The Lord blessed him and checked his sinful ways. He was converted and became a devout Christian, who preached the gospel till the end of his life. With raging fury in his mind, Paul went about venting his fury against the followers of Christ. He was punished by God on his way to Damascus. He became blind and helpless. His sight was restored by Ananias, a Christian, who baptized Paul. Paul saw the vision of God who asked him why he persecuted Him, the Lord so cruelly. Paul realized his mistake and surrendered to Jesus. He did penance for three years. When he returned, he was enlightened and wiser. He became an Apostle who travelled far and wide to teach the gospel. He established many Christian colonies in Asia Minor and Europe. He carried the word of Jesus to thousands of people. He suffered during his travels and met with opposition, but he persisted in his mission. In person or through letters, he reached out to those who were in trouble. He was arrested and imprisoned in Rome where he had to go through trials. He firmly believed that God Himself had assigned him the task of teaching the gospel. He refused to deviate from his path and did not care about suffering or death. He died in Rome after spending a greater part of his life in spreading the word of God.
As a young man, Saul believed in establishing his faith in his religion by persecuting the Nazarenes zealously. He ordered them to be stoned. He nurtured a feeling of hatred against them. He took pride in being revengeful. He never gave a thought to his actions and behavior. He experienced satisfaction in his wickedness. He thought that it was the way to prove his devotion to his religion.
Once on his way to Damascus, an incident took place which changed his life completely. He became blind and he could not proceed without the help of others. His pride and pomp vanished instantly and he became miserable. The Lord appeared before him and questioned him about his actions against Him. Paul realized his mistakes. He was grateful to Jesus who had shown him the true meaning of religion. The Lord was kind and forgave him sins because he was ignorant.
Paul thought it was necessary to purify himself through fasting and penance. He followed the word of God and prayed whenever he was in difficulty. He also prayed for the happiness of his brethren. He read the Scriptures and studies them. He believed that he was appointed by God to spread is teachings in the world. He suffered for others, just as Christ had suffered. He was convinced that Jesus was the messiah. The Lord endowed him with spiritual powers and he performed miracles. People believed in him. He conquered the fear of death. He spent his life in the service of God and mankind.
Hence, Paul’s story is the story of a young man who behaved thoughtlessly. The Lord blessed him and saved him by forgiving his sins and showing him the right path. Paul changed his Faith and his attitude. He realized the need to bring light into the lives of ignorant men. He undertook the difficult task of spreading the word of God in spite of the enemies, hardships and opposition. He carried out several missionary journeys. He led a life of simplicity, truth, honesty, hard work and sacrifice. He is remembered to this day for his great achievements.
- St. Francis started out in a different way.
- He became compassionate resourceful and wise ( the change in him)
- What was his future
Three issues from my Topic sentence:
- Paul was first a Jew and opposed Christianity
- How he was transformed and the changes in him
- What he did after conversion.
( introduction to the story and main character) This is the story of Saul of Tarsus, who later became St. Paul the Apostle. A Jew by birth, Paul persecuted the followers of New Religion in a cruel manner. The Lord blessed him and checked his sinful ways. He was converted and became a devout Christian, who preached the gospel till the end of his life. With raging fury in his mind, Paul went about venting his fury against the followers of Christ. He was punished by God on his way to Damascus. He became blind and helpless. His sight was restored by Ananias, a Christian. Paul saw the vision of God who asked him why he persecuted Him, the Lord so cruelly. Paul realized his mistake and surrendered to Jesus. He carried out penance for three years. . When he returned, he was enlightened and wiser. He became an Apostle who travelled far and wide to teach the gospel. He established many Christian colonies in Asia Minor and Europe. He carried the word of Jesus to thousands of people. He suffered during his travels and met with opposition, but he persisted in his mission. In person or through letters, he reached out to those who were in trouble. He was arrested and imprisoned in Rome where he had to go through trials. He firmly believed that God Himself had assigned him the task of teaching the gospel. He refused to deviate from his path and did not care about suffering or death. He died in Rome after spending a greater part of his life in spreading the word of God.
- As a young man, Saul believed in establishing his faith in his religion by persecuting the Nazarenes zealously.(1) He ill-treated them.(2) He nurtured a felling of hatred against them.(3) He took pride in being revengeful.(4) He never gave a thought to his actions and behavior.(5) He experienced satisfaction in his wickedness.(6) He thought that it was the way to prove his devotion to his religion. (7)
- Once on his way to Damascus, an incident took place which changed his life completely. (1)He became blind and he could not proceed without the help of others.(2) He pride and pomp vanished instantly and he became miserable. (3)The Lord appeared before him and questioned him about his actions against Him. (4)Paul realized his mistakes. (5)He was grateful to Jesus who had shown him the true meaning of religion.(6) The Lord was kind and forgave him sins because he was ignorant. (7)
- Paul thought it was necessary to purify himself through fasting and penance. He followed the word of God and prayed whenever he was in difficulty.(1) He also prayed for the happiness of his brethren. (2)He read the Scriptures and studies them.(3) He believed that he was appointed by God to spread is teachings in the world. (4)He suffered for others, just as Christ had suffered.(5) He was convinced that Jesus was the messiah. (6)The Lord endowed him with spiritual powers and he performed miracles.(7) People believed in him.(8) He conquered the fear of death.(9) He spent his life in the service of God and mankind.(10)
( re-statement of the topic sentence in different words and summing up)Hence, Paul’s story is the story of a young man who behaved thoughtlessly. The Lord blessed him and saved him by forgiving his sins and showing him the right path. Paul changed his Faith and his attitude. He realized the need to bring light into the lives of ignorant men. He undertook the difficult task of spreading the word of God in spite of the enemies, hardships and opposition. He carried out several missionary journeys. He led a life of simplicity, truth, honesty, hard work and sacrifice. He is remembered to this day for his great achievements.
