Dear Disciples of Jesus and Mary,

I am sharing the POL of St. Paul, the work done by Larry Fox from Seattle. Please pass a copy to the leaders and ask them to pass it on to the groups.
God's blessings on you and your family,

Fr. Pinto solt

PREFACE

In order to better understand the Plan of Life (i.e. God's plan for our lives) and importantly the process of discovery, the life of St. Paul was considered in our DJM meeting.

St. Paul's experiences captured by St. Luke in the Act of the Apostles and his thoughts revealed in his fourteen epistles of the New Testament were scrutinized to illustrate the methodology of discovery as described in Fr. Santan Pinto's book titled, Prayer in Your Life.

If during this discovery certain personal feelings were interjected, I believe St. Paul would excuse the foolishness, "Was it a sin for me to lower myself in order to elevate you by preaching the Gospel.." (2 Corinthians 11:7).

Introduction We meet St. Paul in the scriptures and pretend to ask him to relate on paper his experiences (Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious), his struggles, temptations, predominate faults which he sees in others, relationships and his special prayers. What follows is St. Paul's imaginary responses to these questions. Each of the various type of questions are meant to confirm in principle the Plan of Life.

ST. PAUL'S PLAN OF LIFE

POINT OF REFERENCE

St. Paul, "What best describes your Plan of Life?"

St. Paul puts down on paper what he thinks best describes his relationship with God. This is his "Point of Reference."

Interestingly enough, St. Paul describes his relationship with God in ways which help us to recognize what is meant by an "evolving plan." (Note see pg. 2 of Prayer in Your Life)

His first point of reference is simply, "Paul or thankful Paul" (1 & 2 Thessalonians). Paul is beginning his ministry and if I am not mistaken, the Letters to the Thessalonians are his earliest.

Later on, St. Paul choses the words, "Appointed by God to be an apostle of Jesus Christ" (1 & 2 Corinthians 1:1, Ephesians 1:1, Colossians 1:1).

Later still, St. Paul choses the words, "Servant of Jesus Christ who has been called to be an apostle" (Romans 1:1, Philippians 1:1, Titus 1:1).

Eventually, St. Paul choses the words, "A prisoner for Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 3:1, Philomen 1:1). I believe and if not mistaken Paul's letter to Philemon was written very late in his life.

St. Paul reminds us that with each experience nothing happens unless God allows it. As such, he shows the awareness of how God is fashioning him into the image of His son Jesus Christ who was the Word, called to be a servant, a prisoner and put to death for the truth.

WHAT ARE YOUR EXPERIENCES IN LIFE AND WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM THEM?

St. Paul, "Please put down your experiences and describe what you learned from them."

I remember the Stoning of Stephen and I was there giving approval to his death (Acts 8:1).

I remember it was by envy that my leaders put Jesus to death (Matthew 27:18)

I remember it was by envy that I was persecuted in Thessalonika (1 Thessalonians 17:5).

I learned envy leads to false accusations and murder.

Through all these experiences, I learned that I needed to be grateful and discerning of God's goodness. I needed to be grateful to God and recognize when God was placing good people in my life.

I was in life obediant to a fault. I was zealous for the law. I was so obediant that in my ignorance, I persecuted the People of the Way. I learned that Virtue (even if it is the virtue of obediance) has no place with crime (2 Corinthians 6:11).

I learned that obediance must stem from charity and without charity even martydom means nothing (1 Corinthians 13:3). If I had charity and compassion, I would not have so easily sought letters to throw men and women in prison (Acts 8:3).

I remember my experience with the Resurrected Jesus on the road to Damascus: I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying, "Saul, Saul why are you persucuting me?" I replied "Who are you Lord" (Acts 9:4)?

I learned I did not know the mind of God. Jesus sayed, "If you do not know me you do not know my Father in Heaven." I was humiliated. It took me three years to sort out my pride. I left for Arabia and later returned to Damascus and after three years finally went to Jerusalem to meet with Peter (Galatians 1: 17-19).

Later on, I reflected on the lessons taught by my Rabbi Gamaliel from whom I should have learned the importance of discerning the movement's of God. He held for moderation before his brothers in the Sanhedrin when dealing with these People of the Way. You shall know a tree by its' fruits. (Acts 5: 33-40).

As a result it dawned on me, that I must not have listened when I was a student of Rabbi Gamaliel and must not have listend when I heard the Hebrew scriptures read to me. I like many of my brothers listened to the scriptures with a veil over our minds (2 Corinthians 3:12-18).

When I was preaching in Athens using philosophical ideas, I was sure they would appreciate my words. I believed I understood the Greek mind. When I mentioned the Resurrection many sneered at me. Only a few souls believed, Dionysius and a woman named Damaris and some others (Acts 17:32-34).

I learned not to trust in my own speaking ability but to trust only in the Power of the Cross which is foolishness to the Greeks and a stumbling block to the Jews but power to those who are destined for eternal life.

I was very prone to pride and as such God allowed Satan to place a thorn in my side so I would not be proud due to my many revelations. I asked Jesus three times to remove it and he said, "My grace is sufficient." From this I learned Acceptance, Humility" (2 Corinthians 12:7-11).

Through my time in prison, shipwreck and beatings, I learned to accept my circumstance by praising God (Acts 27:34) & (Acts 16 25-39).

I learned through the many hardships suffered in the province of Asia, God was teaching me to surrender (trust) totally on Him who raises people even from the dead (2 Corinthians 1:7-10).

WHAT ARE YOUR PERSONAL STRUGGLES?

St. Paul, "What faults do you see in others and in reality you do not and would not like to see in yourself?"

I do not like it when people give up or do not persevere! In fact, when Barnabas asked me to take John-Mark with us to revisit the churches, we had a very violent quarrel (Acts 15:38). Also everyone in the province of Asia abondoned me including Phygelus & Hemogenes (2 Timothy 1:15).

As a result, I have tried to fight the good fight and persevere to the end. I know that a crown awaits me at the end of the race.

I do not like people who meddle in the affairs of others and especially those who do not do what they are suppose to do. A good servant completes his tasks, puts his hands to the plow and does not look back. I wrote to the church in Thessolanika telling them that if a man did not work he should not eat (2 Thessalonians 3:6).

As such, I have never wanted to be a burden to the churches. I worked as a tent maker and borrowed from other churches so as to not be a burden to those for whom I was working, even though I had a right to support for God said, "Do not mu

le the ox that treds the grain" (1 Corinthians 9:3-11).

I do not like it when people disturb the faith of others or put unnecessary burdens. Many Jewish-Christains came to Galatia and were insistent upon having the gentile christians circumcised.

As such, I wrote a letter to the same community expressing my hope that those who preached circumcision would use the knife on themselves and have it slip completely on themselves (Galatians 5:12). I have tried to become all things servant for all people so that I could bring the message of Good News to all people.

I do not like it when people boast about themselves, are superficial or think they are too important (2 Corinthians 11:7). In fact, if I wanted man's approval, I would not be what I am, a servant of Jesus (Galatians 1:10).

I dislike people who are cruel or abuse their power (lacking in compassion). In fact, when I was beaten by the mob, I scolded the Roman centurian in charge for He had arrested a Roman citizen without a trial. He was scared to death (Acts 22:25).

WHAT ARE YOUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH GOD & SAINTS?

St. Paul, "What are your relationships with the persons of the Trinity & saints?"

When I think about Jesus, I can not help but think of how Jesus who was so rich in majesty, emptied himself and became a servant (Philippians 2:6-11).

When I think about the Holy Spirit, I remember how the Holy Spirit worked along side us in our ministry. One day the Holy Spirit said to Barnabas and myself, "Set them apart for the work to which I have called them" (Acts 13: 2).

I also think about how the Holy Spirit prays for us like a good companion. "The Spirit himself and our spirit bear united witness that we are children of God" (Romans 8:16).

I am constantly aware of the fact that God the Father has called (hired) me, appointed me to be a witness to His son.

St. Paul, "What saints do you admire?"

I admire saints of great Faith, Hope and Charity.

I am attracted by Abraham our forefather. Abraham believed in God and it was credited to him as rightousness (Romans 4:3).

Abraham & Sarah had such hope when God told them through the angels they would be with child even though Sarah was so old (Romans 4: 18-20).

I admire the saints who are my fellow workers for the church like, Priscilla & Aquila, Titus, Phoebe & Timothy (Romans 16: 1-25).

WHICH PRAYERS ARE YOU ATTRACTED TO?

St. Paul, "What prayers are you attracted to and why?"

I constantly show gratitude to God for people who enter my life as a means to overcome envy and to grow in humility. In every letter which I wrote to the various communities, I especially thanked God for them.

I am attracted to prayers of thanksgiving especially in moments of trial. I find giving thanks in all circumstances brings great peace, joy, hope and forgiveness.

I try to remember what God has done for me. While still a sinner who persecuted the church, God showed his power and mercy by redeeming and calling me. He did this not for any merit on my part but only out of His own goodness (1 Timothy 1:12-17).

I choose to celebrate the Eucharist (thanksgiving) with anyone and anywhere.