What a Call

Source: learnreligions.com
A victorious villain
in hot pursuit of Christians
hurtled down to Damascus
stopped suddenly by
shards of sky light
and an unmistakable voice
“Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”

Blinded and bewildered
Gamaliel’s student was  
led on the road of humility
through amazing adventures
of missionary zeal.

The scales that fell from
unseeing eyes
heralded a new dawn of awakening
to a perfect plan for Paul
woven by a loving God.

Inching along
step by slow step
fueled the fire of holiness
that fanned into
the Apostle to the Gentiles.

Standing on the sidewalk of life
we watch warily
as God entices and ignites
a spark with divine breath
blowing away the cinders,
till we too are ambushed
in a web of new designs
carefully crafted.

Memory like a shell
cracks open to see
the pearl of pure beauty
nestled within
“the prize of God’s upward calling*
 in Christ Jesus.”



*(Philippians 3:14)

Viola Athaide, a student of Theology, is actively involved in parish life, leading Bible courses, the Prayer Group, and the Ministry with Maturing Adults.

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10 Comments
  • graeme quinlan
    Posted at 01:30h, 20 May Reply

    THE PERFECT PLAN FOR PAUL, WOVEN BY A LOVING GOD. IS THE SAME MYSTERIOUS PLAN THAT GOD IN HIS INFINITE GOODNESS HAS ORDAINED FOR EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US. MAY OUR HEARTS BE OPEN TO PERCEIVE IT. THANK YOU FOR THAT VIOLA.

  • Sylvia Lee
    Posted at 09:52h, 20 May Reply

    Thank you for the inspiring poem, Viola. Yes, we are called.
    God bless you.

  • Peter Bisson
    Posted at 12:36h, 20 May Reply

    Thank you Viola!

  • Linda R Rego
    Posted at 14:03h, 20 May Reply

    Once again Viola, you brought the past into our future. Thank you for sharing your gifts.

  • Maria Lobo
    Posted at 14:40h, 20 May Reply

    Yet another beautiful poem, Viola. “Holiness” attained in & through the fire of suffering…”inching along step by slow step”…WOW! This inspires us to almost welcome suffering, provided that we keep the end goal in sight. So,keep on “enticing” us, Lord….and may Your holy will always be done in our lives!

  • Jacqui Hubbard
    Posted at 08:18h, 22 May Reply

    Beautifully written, truly inspiring.
    God bless you, Viola, for sharing your talent with us.

  • Rosa Scarpino
    Posted at 20:40h, 23 May Reply

    As usual Viola you put it in beautiful words God’s plan for Saul, and make us reflect on God’s call for us.
    May God give us eyes to see, ears to hear and an open heart that we can respond to his call.
    Praise the Lord for He has gifted you, and we are blessed by your poems.
    Thank you, Rosa.

  • Karen Arthurs
    Posted at 20:53h, 23 May Reply

    It seems that St Ignatius had a similar upward call as we honor this church year for him. How his spiritual awareness has reached so many with the exercises and it is still growing. May our eyes be opened where ever we may be!

  • Lorella D'Cruz
    Posted at 21:12h, 23 May Reply

    Viola has such a way with words. Her poetry is lyrical and expressive, and as always there’s a rich kernel of eternal, divine truth at its core.

  • Christine Domingo
    Posted at 11:27h, 26 May Reply

    Thank you for yet another beautifully written and inspiring poem, Viola! Yes, God is steadfast in His promises to us. If only we could stay steadfast in our desire to do His Will … surrendering our trials and joys to him to take care of … never taking our focus off Him. He knows the desires of our hearts and He always meets us where we are in our struggle to get closer to Him. Thank you again, Viola.

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