Friday of the Third Week of Easter
Today, we celebrate the great conversion of Paul. Many of us know the gist of the story; that Saul was traveling to Damascus on the hunt for Christians when he is confronted by God and essentially told to knock it off. We read that “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?” (ACTS 9:3-4). The entirety of the story and the rest of Paul’s life can be themed around light. Saul was quite literally blinded by the light (cue the chorus from the Manfred Mann’s Earth Band song). Moving into his ministry, Paul goes on to shine the light of Christ to Christian communities all over.
One of the often-overlooked characters in this story is Ananias, the disciple called by the Lord into action to be the light for Saul. What fascinates me about his role in the conversion of Saul, is that God involves Ananias at all. Jesus confronts Saul directly on the road to Damascus. However, Ananias is the instrument God uses to fulfill the conversion. He is invited to be part of the story even in the face of danger--Saul was not known to be a nice guy to the followers of Jesus. Similarly, you and I are called to be instruments to carry the light of Christ with us in our relationships and actions.
So when the Lord called out to Ananias and told him to go to the place where Saul was staying, it is not surprising that Ananias had some questions. Could you blame Ananias if he wanted to lock his doors and hide in fear knowing that Saul was in town rather than travel to him and lay hands on him? But Ananias’ profound faith and trust in God compelled him to go. When God said Saul “is a chosen instrument of mine,” Ananias was satisfied. That is amazing to me. I would have so many more questions. But God chose Saul, the ultimate antagonist to the mission of Christ and with blood on his hands, and called him to something greater. And Ananias believed this way possible and was willing to play a significant role in this transformation. That gives me so much hope.
The relationship between Saul and Ananias is absolutely an inspiration for us today as people around the world realize how dependent we are on one another and come to terms with their own vulnerability. How are we being called to be a light for others? Who can be a light for us and help remove scales from our eyes? We are instruments of hope; we are called to shine our light, to be light to the world. May we be filled with the Holy Spirit to “Go out to all the world and tell the Good News” (Mk 16:15).
Abundant Blessings,
Brandon & LeeAnn Meyer