Caravaggio’s painting shows the event which we commemorate today, in graphic detail. St Paul is thrown from his horse to the ground – literally, from his place of status and pride to the lowest degree of humility. In this, in a single instant, he becomes like his Lord, who chose Himself to take the lowest place.

The intense light of the encounter blinded him temporarily. He was without sight for three days – a significant number – before he entered definitively upon his new life.

Our whole life is a life of conversion – sometimes through many cycles and false starts. But God is faithful, and stands by us as He stood by St Paul. May we trust Him, and move forward in our lives, with our hand firmly held in His, and may God bless you.