Conversion of Paul
Acts 9:1-22 (NRSV)
Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" He asked, "Who are you, Lord?" The reply came, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do." The men who were traveling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. 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 at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul. At this moment he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight." But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name." But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel; I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name." So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul and said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
For several days he was with the disciples in Damascus, and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "He is the Son of God." All who heard him were amazed and said, "Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem among those who invoked this name? And has he not come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?" Saul became increasingly more powerful and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Messiah.
Reflection
Saul was an instrument for God. God chose to change the life of Saul. God chose to use Saul to spread the Word. God chose Saul as an instrument. Likewise God chooses us to be an instrument. God chooses each person and provides unique gifts and the movement of the Holy Spirit within lives. God chooses us and comes to us in Jesus Christ so that we can become what God has chosen for us to become. But what does it take for me to respond?
It took a life-changing moment for Saul to respond. It took a vision for Ananias to respond. Why is it that it takes anything more for God to do for me to respond? As I read the Word and listen to the Word spoken and reflect on the sacraments; I am made aware of a God who has already responded in love for me. I know of a walk with God in daily living. I know of a God who is in the lives of people around me and in the life of the Church. God responds and acts and loves people face to face. Jesus spoke to Saul directly and confronted Saul with his sin. Jesus speaks to you and me directly and confronts us with our sin. Confronted by sin, we repent and God forgives.
We were made to respond to the call. We were made to get up and go. We were made to be a part of the plan God has set in motion throughout time. We were made to live the life God has planned for us and to respond. It's always a change. It's a constant change, but a wonderful change. As we move from one life to another we trust in God to continue to knock us down and bring on change. A change that causes a response. A change that brings life. A wonderful gracious change. Thanks be to God!
Prayer
Lord, some days You have to knock me over and fill me with Your Spirit so that my scales of blindness fall from my eyes. Help me to hear and respond to Your call. Teach me the compassion and love which I need to live out Your plan for my life daily. Send Your holy angels to lead and guide and protect me as I walk in Your Kingdom each day. --- Amen
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