Not to own you,
stone you,
or even take your crown.
Compromise you
or criticize you
because you are renowned.
You were Christianized
before you were despised,
and you were martyred too.
How could anyone be canonized
like the Paul that got even with you?
Great sinners can be greater Saints
Paul confesses that "beyond measure" he persecuted the "church of God" prior to his conversion. (Galatians 1:13-14; Philippians 3:6; Acts 8:1-3) He was consenting to the killing of the proto-martyr, Stephen. As a young man he stood by and guarded the clothes of the witnesseses while Stephen was stoned. (Acts 7:58; 8:1; 22:20)
