Saul, still breathing murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, that ,if he should find any men or women who belonged to the Way, he might bring them back to Jerusalem in chains. On his journey, as he was nearing Damascus, a light from the sky suddenly flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” He said, “Who are you, sir?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, for they heard the voice but could see no one. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him to Damascus.For three days he was unable to see, and he neither ate nor drank.
There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias.” He answered, “Here I am, Lord.”The Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight and ask at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is there praying, and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him, that he may regain his sight.” But Ananias replied,“Lord, I have heard from many sources about this man, what evil things he has done to your holy ones in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to imprison all who call upon your name.”But the Lord said to him,“Go, for this man is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before Gentiles, kings, and children of Israel,and I will show him what he will have to suffer for my name.” So Ananias went and entered the house; laying his hands on him, he said, “Saul, my brother, the Lord has sent me, Jesus who appeared to you on the way by which you came, that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately things like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight. He got up and was baptized, and when he had eaten, he recovered his strength.
He stayed some days with the disciples in Damascus,and he began at once to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. All who heard him were astounded and said,“Is not this the man who in Jerusalem ravaged those who call upon this name, and came here expressly to take them back in chains to the chief priests?” But Saul grew all the stronger and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.
REFLECTION
“Go, for this man is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before Gentiles, kings, and children of Israel,and I will show him what he will have to suffer for my name."..... " be filled with the Holy Spirit....this is the Christ."
St Paul is one of the greatest missionaries who spread the Word of God. Every day we wake up to chores, work and family obligations. Some days we want to stay in bed. Ever wonder if St Paul had days like that?
Saul hated Christians and believed the teachings violated Mosaic Law and went after them with zeal. Created anew by our loving Savior, Saul, a hardened unbeliever and persecutor of Christians, now has a new life and sees clearly.
Called by Jesus when thrown off his horse and blinded, Saul, like the apostles, responds to the calling. This was a great miracle and after his baptism, he sets out to pray and contemplate in the desert. Infused with God's Word and renamed Paul, no one could stop him
Known as the Apostle of the Gentiles, he changed the world. One can wonder and ask God, "Why Saul?" Were there not devoted disciples who would have answered His call, even willing to die for Him? After all, did not Saul hate everything about Jesus?
St Paul is whom Jesus chose. It is through His love that he was transformed. It is in this same Holy Spirit that we, our family and our enemies can grow to be good, holy and faithful disciples for Christ.
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