Conversion and Communion

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to reflect on the events in our lives that resonate with the conversion of Paul on the road to Damascus.

On the Road to Conversion

 The Reading from the Acts of the Apostles presents Saul’s Conversion, his Baptism and Saul Preaching in Damascus.

* [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 continues The Bread of Life Discourse.

* [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.)

Nancy Shirley is challenged to really examine who she is and how that is lived and conveyed to others.

I am of the vintage that I remember well the change in Church music following Vatican II.  The music of the “folk masses” filled my heart.  One of the earliest songs that I remember from this is They’ll know We are Christians by our Love and the lyric that we are one in the Spirit. So many of the songs in that era (many from the beloved St Louis Jesuits) proclaimed our beliefs in a way that demanded/encouraged actions consistent with our professions of faith.  Are my eyes blinded and not seeing what I need to. The question remains for me, will they know I am a Christian??? 

So…  two songs today (songs are my way to share my faith with you).

Open the Eyes of my Heart Lord  (Michael W. Smith)

Whenever I hear the song below, I think of St John the Baptist and all the early disciples, and how they reached out to the world and continued the story that Jesus began… 

Nobody by Casting Crowns (Shirley, 2026)

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 invites us to imagine how different the Church might have turned out if Ananias had turned away! The Lord would, no doubt, have fulfilled his plan for the growth of the Church. But Ananias would not have had the role God offered him in these great events.

The next time you think the Lord is moving you in an unexpected direction, follow Ananias’ lead and ask for more understanding. Or better yet, take a small step forward and see what happens. You never know; your yes might bear fruit far beyond what you can imagine!

“Jesus, give me the courage to follow your lead!” (Meditation on Acts 9:1-20, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that in Acts, the first of three accounts of the conversion of Paul with some small differences, the voice of Jesus is heard. Saul is going to Damascus even if the High Priest had no authority in that region. This seems to be an illegal act. Luke is offering a comparison of good people with law breakers. Saul and Paul are the same person. Saul is Hebrew-Aramaic version of his name. Why me? The Christians and Jesus suffer persecution. Paul uses kyrios as Lord, the right Greek word without realizing it. Saul, who is blinded, is to go to Ananias, who does, in fact, get over fear to encounter Saul. The cataract removed from Saul’s eyes is like that removed due to electrocution. Was this struck down event a nervous breakdown? Not likely, there is no sign of reticence or depression in Paul. In the Gospel of John, the Bread of Life Discourse, the Jewish people are traditionally troubled by eating flesh and even more today by hearing you have to drink His blood, very difficult in Jewish religious tradition. Friar Jude notes that, in John’s Gospel, we find realized eschatology in our encounter with Christ. In proclaiming about the Bread of Life, John refers to being saved on the last day and facing both present and future salvation in the Eucharist.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Anglican priest Ragan Sutterfield, an avid bird watcher, who reflects on what it means to practice hospitality to nature in its many forms. Sutterfield suggests ways we can disrupt the commodification of nature and act hospitably. 

To plant a garden, to create a wetland—these seem like small acts in the face of our world of concrete, our obsession with never-ending economic growth. What difference can it make? I think of G. K. Chesterton’s comment, in his wonderful economic critique, The Outline of Sanity, which takes aim at industrial capitalism’s takeover of small shops and farms:

Do anything, however small, that will prevent the completion of the work of capitalist combination. Do anything that will even delay that completion. Save one shop out of a hundred shops…. Keep open one door out of a hundred doors; for so long as one door is open, we are not in prison. Ahab has not his kingdom so long as Naboth has his vineyard [1 Kings 21]. Haman will not be happy in the palace while Mordecai is sitting in the gate [Esther 5:9–13]…. [2]

Hospitality is more than resistance, however; it is also a sacramental practice—a way by which we learn to recognize the holy in the wild lives around us. “There are no unsacred places,” writes Wendell Berry, “there are only sacred places and desecrated places.” The practice of reconciliation ecology is an act in which we relate to the world in its sacredness, keeping ourselves from seeing it as a mere landscape or an interchangeable abstraction for our desires. (Rohr, n.d.)

We implore the Spirit to touch our heart and mind as we participate in sacramental practice and experience the Presence of Christ guiding our mission on the road of life.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 24, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/9?1 

John, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 24, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/6?52 

Meditation on Acts 9:1-20. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved April 24, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/04/24/1549333/ 

Psalms, PSALM 117 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 24, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/117?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Hospitality on Our Earth Home. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved April 24, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/hospitality-on-our-earth-home/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). He Who Eats This Bread Will Live Forever. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 24, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Shirley, N. (2026, April 24). Daily Reflection April 24, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved April 24, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-april-24-2026 

Concern Care and Confusion

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today remind us of the concern and care that family and friends express when they are present to us in times of distress and loss.

Family Responds with Care

The Reading from the Second Book of Samuel presents David’s response to the Report of Saul’s Death.

a. [1:1] 1 Sm 30:17–20; 31:1–13

c. [1:11] 2 Sm 13:31.

d. [1:12] 1 Sm 31:13.

j. [1:26] 1 Sm 18:1–4. (2 Samuel, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 80 is a community lament in time of military defeat.

* [Psalm 80] A community lament in time of military defeat. Using the familiar image of Israel as a vineyard, the people complain that God has broken down the wall protecting the once splendid vine brought from Egypt (Ps 80:9–14). They pray that God will again turn to them and use the Davidic king to lead them to victory (Ps 80:15–19). (Psalms, PSALM 80 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Mark presents Jesus' relatives gathering prior to the Blasphemy of the Scribes.

* [3:20–35] Within the narrative of the coming of Jesus’ relatives (Mk 3:20–21) is inserted the account of the unbelieving scribes from Jerusalem who attributed Jesus’ power over demons to Beelzebul (Mk 3:22–30); see note on Mk 5:21–43. There were those even among the relatives of Jesus who disbelieved and regarded Jesus as out of his mind (Mk 3:21). (Mark, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)

Rev. Elvin Cardoso, SJ, comments that, in the Gospel, Jesus presents us with a more challenging perspective on relationships. His mission brings tension even within his own family and circle of friends.

Those who thought they knew him best struggled to understand his actions and his sudden break from a familiar way of life. Their concern was rooted in closeness, yet it prevented them from truly listening to what he was saying and seeing who he was becoming. Jesus’ response is not a rejection of family or affection but a commitment to God’s will.

The invitation of the gospel today is to really examine our own priorities. We often define ourselves by our roles, relationships, and the expectations others place on us. While these can be life-giving, they can also limit our ability to respond freely to God’s call. Jesus shows us that faithfulness may sometimes lead to misunderstanding, resistance, or even rejection, especially from those closest to us. Yet he remains steady, anchored in his relationship with the Father.

Let us choose then to listen to God’s gentle voice and respond accordingly to Him. (Cardoso, 2026)

Don Schwager quotes “Jesus' worried kinfolk,” by Jerome (347-420 AD).

"In the Gospel we read that even his kinsfolk desired to bind him as one of weak mind (Mark 3:21). His opponents also reviled him saying, 'You are a Samaritan and have a devil' (John 8:48)." (excerpt from LETTER 108, TO EUSTOCHIUM) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 3:20-21 comments that some people may not understand such sacrificial love. They might say, “You don’t have to go that far.” Sometimes you may even wonder if they’re right! But no matter what anyone says, it’s never a waste to pour yourself out for the Lord and his people. It’s never a waste to spend the night in prayer or to give up comfort in the name of love. God sees every sacrifice you make, and he blesses them all.

Today, let’s pray for all the selfless servants we know—and for those whose acts of love go unnoticed. And if you are feeling stretched to your limit by the call to love, take heart. Jesus sees you, and your fellow readers of The Word Among Us are praying for you.

“Lord Jesus, strengthen your servants today.” (Meditation on Mark 3:20-21, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that in 2 Samuel a messenger tells David that Saul and Jonathan have died. David mourns their death and the friendship in a pact to protect them and the passing of the Saul, an anointed one of God. This was written in the days of David and it indicates that he should be respected. In the Gospel of Mark the family come to take Him home. What part of the family, “they” is unclear. Is it the family or the people around them? The preaching of Jesus to suffer and die is in contrast to His Kingdom The reaction of the Pharisees is to claim that He is possessed by the devil. The family is simply confused. There is no third group in Mark who accept Jesus from the start. This reflects our faith life of wondering who Jesus is and the mission to which He has called us. Friar Jude comments that we need to struggle to accept Jesus too.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Potawatomi author Kaitlin Curtice who shares a poem from her book Everything Is a Story, reminding us of our capacity to keep growing.

We reflect on our faith, family, and friends as agents of the Holy Spirit to bring consolation and comfort when events have disrupted our peace and changed our life long relationships.

References

Cardoso, E. (2026, January 24). Daily Reflection January 24, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved January 24, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-january-24-2026 

Mark, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 24, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/3?20 

Meditation on Mark 3:20-21. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved January 24, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/01/22/1484856/ 

Psalms, PSALM 80 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved January 24, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/80?2 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved January 24, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/called-by-god-weekly-summary/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). People Were Saying of Jesus, 'He Is beside Himself'. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved January 24, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

2 Samuel, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 24, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2samuel/1?1