January 5th- Reflection

Acts 9:10-19a (NRSV)
Saul is baptized

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.

Reflection
Jesus uses those you would least expect. Ananias, a humble man and a private Christian gives the message to Saul that he is to be filled with the Holy Spirit. And Saul a persecutor of Christians was chosen to take the gospel to the Gentiles.

Those you would least expect, God brings forward as disciples of Christ. Such is the way with the world today. Those you would least expect, God appoints. Baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit a great cloud of witnesses go forth into this world to testify what God has done in and for and through them. God is wonderful! Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, open my mind to those you send that I may hear your Word and your way... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen