The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to seek openness to extension of our experience of reality to a conversion that opens the gift of the Body and Blood to our daily existence.
The Reading from the Acts of the Apostles is an account of Saul’s Conversion.
* [9:1–19] This is the first of three accounts of Paul’s conversion (with Acts 22:3–16 and Acts 26:2–18) with some differences of detail owing to Luke’s use of different sources. Paul’s experience was not visionary but was precipitated by the appearance of Jesus, as he insists in 1 Cor 15:8. The words of Jesus, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” related by Luke with no variation in all three accounts, exerted a profound and lasting influence on the thought of Paul. Under the influence of this experience he gradually developed his understanding of justification by faith (see the letters to the Galatians and Romans) and of the identification of the Christian community with Jesus Christ (see 1 Cor 12:27). That Luke would narrate this conversion three times is testimony to the importance he attaches to it. This first account occurs when the word is first spread to the Gentiles. At this point, the conversion of the hero of the Gentile mission is recounted. The emphasis in the account is on Paul as a divinely chosen instrument (Acts 9:15).
* [9:2] The Way: a name used by the early Christian community for itself (Acts 18:26; 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22). The Essene community at Qumran used the same designation to describe its mode of life.
* [9:8] He could see nothing: a temporary blindness (Acts 9:18) symbolizing the religious blindness of Saul as persecutor (cf. Acts 26:18).
* [9:13] Your holy ones: literally, “your saints.” (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 117 calls on the nations to acknowledge God’s supremacy.
* [Psalm 117] This shortest of hymns calls on the nations to acknowledge God’s supremacy. The supremacy of Israel’s God has been demonstrated to them by the people’s secure existence, which is owed entirely to God’s gracious fidelity. (Psalms, PSALM 117 | USCCB, n.d.)
The Gospel of John, concludes the Bread of Life Discourse.
* [6:35–59] Up to Jn 6:50 “bread of life” is a figure for God’s revelation in Jesus; in Jn 6:51–58, the eucharistic theme comes to the fore. There may thus be a break between Jn 6:50–51.
* [6:43] Murmuring: the word may reflect the Greek of Ex 16:2, 7–8.
* [6:54–58] Eats: the verb used in these verses is not the classical Greek verb used of human eating, but that of animal eating: “munch,” “gnaw.” This may be part of John’s emphasis on the reality of the flesh and blood of Jesus (cf. Jn 6:55), but the same verb eventually became the ordinary verb in Greek meaning “eat.” (John, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)
Vivian Amu comments that today’s readings allow us to consider the transformative power of God’s grace, the intentionality of divine intervention, and how encountering Christ reshapes our identity, beliefs, and actions.
During this week of Easter, let us remain open to God’s work within us, even when it disrupts our comfort zones or calls us to reconsider deeply held beliefs. Let us cultivate an active and consuming faith, like the bread Jesus offers, which sustains us through life trials and empowers us to serve others with compassion and grace. May we embody a spirituality that is dynamic, resilient, and deeply rooted in the life-giving truth of Christ. A spirituality that changes us and inspires us to be agents of change in the world around us. Tell everyone about your encounter with Christ this Easter.
Risen Lord, help me remain open to change when my path is disrupted. Guide me towards purpose and redemption, offering new beginnings rooted in grace and truth. (Amu, 2025)
Don Schwager quotes “Abiding in Christ,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
" Jesus recommended to us His Body and Blood in bread and wine, elements that are reduced into one out of many constituents. What is meant by eating that food and taking that drink is this: to remain in Christ and have Him remaining in us." (excerpt from Sermon on John 26,112) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 9:1-20 comments that Ananias took a great risk and obeyed the Lord. And the rest is history!
God is still changing people’s hearts, even those who seem to be the least deserving or the hardest to reach. So follow Ananias’ example and go! Pray for conversion for those who are far from the Lord. Pray for those who are actively persecuting the Church. Pray for those whose lives seem like an irreparably broken mess. And don’t be too surprised if you sense him telling you to share his good news or to offer to pray with someone you least expect!
“Lord, I trust in your power to change any heart!” (Meditation on Acts 9:1-20, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments that the Acts passage is one of three concerning the conversion of Paul. The authority of the High Priest in Damascus is in question. Friar Jude comments on the challenge of Jesus' proclamation about His Body and Blood as the Bread of Life Discourse extends the realized eschatology in John’s Gospel to the future eschatology of another world.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, explains that a primary or foundational sense of order can sustain us in times of exile and disorder.
Sincerely religious people, trained in forgiveness, exodus, exile, and crucifixion, should be the readiest and most prepared for this full journey into unconditional love, but up until now that has only been the case in a small remnant of every group. These are the evolved people whom we called “saints” and “prophets.” Like Moses, Jeremiah, Harriet Tubman, the suffragettes, and others, they always emerge before, during, and after any big societal event—be it a disaster or a major rearrangement of the historical reality. (Rohr, n.d.)
We ponder the transformation of Saul and reflect on how we have responded to “road to Damascus” events on our journey.
References
Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 9, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/9?1
Amu, V. (2025, May 9). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved May 9, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/050925.html
John, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 9, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/6?
Meditation on Acts 9:1-20. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 9, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/05/09/1269845/
Psalms, PSALM 117 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 9, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/117?1
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 9, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/restored-by-divine-love/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). He Who Eats This Bread Will Live Forever. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 9, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=may9
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