Reflection from Jon Ellis
Reflection Acts 9.1-20 John 6.52-59 May 9
Acts 9
1 ¶ Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest
2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.
3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.
4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"
5 "Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked. "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied.
6 "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."
7 The men travelling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone.
8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus.
9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
10 ¶ In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, "Ananias!" "Yes, Lord," he answered.
11 The Lord told him, "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying.
12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight."
13 "Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem.
14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name."
15 But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.
16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name."
17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit."
18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptised,
19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.
20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.
REFLECTION
It must have been terrifying for Ananias when God told him to help Saul, the zealous persecutor of Christians.
In some countries today it is still dangerous to be a Christian, so it is wise to be careful when confronted by someone like Saul, who has had such a radical change.
Fortunately, we live in a country where it is safe to declare our belief in Jesus. Jesus can change our lives. We know how much that matters. I cannot imagine now what it is like to not know Jesus, and yet I lived for forty years without realising what I was missing.
But how do we react when someone tells us they have changed? When someone tells us they are no longer the person that they were. Do we welcome them with open arms? Or are we sceptical that a “leopard never changes his spots”? Often it is difficult for us. They still look like the same person. They have something about them which doesn’t seem to quite fit with what they are saying. There are still signs of the ‘old’ person that creep in.
I am in awe of people who choose to go into difficult situations. Like Ananias, they are prepared to step out in faith. When the call comes, how do we respond?
COLLECT Easter 3
Risen Christ,
you filled your disciples with boldness and fresh hope:
strengthen us to proclaim your risen life
and fill us with your peace,
to the glory of God the Father. Amen
Common Worship: Collects and Post Communions, material from which is included here, is copyright © The Archbishops' Council 2000