He also condoned the stoning of St. Stephen. Saul was a zealot of the first order. Unfortunately, he was dead wrong. But after meeting Jesus in that profound religious experience, all that misguided energy and passion was focused on the great love and mercy of God revealed in Jesus. Paul aligned himself with God's power and wisdom manifest in the mission and ministry of Jesus.
Zeal is fire in the belly.
It's that rare energy that makes things happen, breaks us out of our comfort zones, engages us in risky adventures. Would that the zeal demonstrated in certain political and economic personalities be as present and active in the religious domain. Zeal demands vision. Paul saw Christ in some fashion and responded to the Lord's loving and merciful gaze. Nothing, no trial or persecution or person, could separate St. Paul from the mission and ministry of Jesus.