Bondage

“Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" 

Acts 9:4

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul. Prior to his conversion he was dedicated to persecuting Christians, the followers of Jesus and sending them to prison. After his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus none was more zealous in planting churches in Asia Minor and Europe. 

Harriet Tubman was a black American born into slavery. She escaped and was able to rescue several slaves using what was known as the “Underground Railroad”. She said, “I freed thousands of slaves. I could have freed thousands more, if they had known they were slaves.” 

Many of us do not know we are enslaved. We can be in bondage to things, like me! I cannot throw things away because I am always thinking I can make something out of old clothes, books, even toilet paper rolls! There are some who like to go shopping even if they have so much already. Then we can be in bondage to our appearance, addictions, hobbies, indulgences, work, the list goes on. When something controls how we act, how we feel, then these things boss us around. Freedom from slavery begins with recognising what are our masters. 

Saint Paul recognized his Master, Jesus Christ. That’s why he spent his life preaching so others could be set free. In John 8:32, Jesus says, “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” Let us not only know the truth, but like Harriet Tubman, who was a staunch Christian, help others find the truth.