Daily Readings - Fri May 01 2020
Acts
1But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest2and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.3Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.4And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?"5And he said, "Who are you, Lord?" And he said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.6But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do."7The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.8Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.9And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.10Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Here I am, Lord."11And the Lord said to him, "Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying,12and 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."13But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem.14And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name."15But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.16For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name."17So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit."18And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized;19and taking food, he was strengthened.For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus.20And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "He is the Son of God."
John
52The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?"53So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.54Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.55For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.56Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.57As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me.58This is the bread that came down from heaven, not as the fathers ate and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever."59Jesus said these things in the synagogue, as he taught at Capernaum.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound narratives that invite us to reflect on transformation and the life-giving presence of Christ. The first reading from Acts recounts the dramatic conversion of Saul, a fierce persecutor of Christians, who encounters Jesus on the road to Damascus. This transformative moment, marked by blindness and subsequent healing through Ananias, illustrates God's power to change hearts and redirect lives. Saul's journey from persecution to becoming a great apostle is a testament to divine grace and the potential for radical change in our own lives.
The Gospel from John presents Jesus teaching about the Eucharist, using the metaphor of eating His flesh and drinking His blood. This teaching, delivered in the synagogue at Capernaum, emphasizes the Eucharist as a source of eternal life and spiritual nourishment. It challenges us to embrace the mystery of Christ's presence in the sacrament, much like the crowd in John's account who grappled with the meaning of His words.
Both readings highlight themes of transformation and belief. Saul's conversion exemplifies a literal transformation through a divine encounter, while John's passage invites a spiritual transformation through participation in the Eucharist. These stories encourage us to trust in God's transformative power and to seek a deeper relationship with Him. Just as Ananias obeyed despite fears, we too are called to trust and obey, allowing God to work through us.
In our daily lives, these readings inspire us to be open to God's transformative power and to find spiritual nourishment in the Eucharist. They remind us of the importance of trust and obedience, urging us to embrace the life-giving presence of Christ. May we, like Saul and the early believers, allow God to transform us and guide us toward a life of faith and service.