Morning Message: May 21

Jesus sends Ananias to heal Saul/Paul’s blindness.  This Scripture hints that Paul will not have an easy time following Jesus.

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.

Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias.  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.  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.

Think about this silently in your heart.  Are we “blind” to the goodness of any of our classmates or someone in our family?

We have been hearing the story of Saul’s conversion this week and will finish the story with tomorrow’s reading.  But so far, what an extraordinary turn of events we have heard!  How strange God’s ways are!  How often they go contrary to all our presumptions and expectations!  The man, Saul, who was so set on wiping out the Christian way is to become Jesus’ chosen instrument to spread his name among the non-Jews.  He will become one of the main pillars, together with Peter, as a founder of Christianity.  Through his writings, his influence will be enormous in the centuries following, right down to our own.  And, in the process, he will pay a high price in personal sacrifice and suffering.

A completely new chapter in the development of the early Church was about to begin. There is obviously a great deal for us to reflect on in our own lives, about our way of treating others, about our blindness and our constant need for conversion, and about our responsibility to share our faith with others.

Holy God, just as you helped St. Paul to see the truth of your Word, help us to recognize the truth of the Gospel.  Help us to be open to the power of your Spirit.  We ask this Christ’s name.  Amen.

Boys and girls, yesterday, Mrs. Karin Abbott, our music teacher, was chosen as the Archdiocese of Baltimore Archdiocesan Elementary School Teacher of the Year.  If you see her in your virtual classroom today, make sure you congratulate her, or better yet, send her a note or email telling her how much you appreciate all that she does.  We are blessed to have such a talented teacher as part of the outstanding Slade faculty.  Way to go, Mrs. Abbott!