October 19

Acts 9:1-9
1Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" 5 He asked, "Who are you, Lord?" The reply came, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do." 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. 8 Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

The church is growing. Since the stoning of Stephen we are told that the church message of the gospel is being received in Samaria and through the eunuch going to Ethiopia. Gamaliel’s admonition is being proven. This is of God.

Institutions do not want to change. So the high priest authorizes Saul to be the enforcer in the synagogues in Damascus. This is an internal matter. Those who are following “the Way” are still seen as having some relationship with the temple in Jerusalem. One might ask how the synagogue movement and the high priest are able to work together. The Pharisees, the synagogue, and the Sadducees, the high priest, are not frequently seen in agreement. This threat of the church brings them together.

Saul is confronted with the resurrected Jesus. Only Saul sees Jesus, but his companions hear the voice. Paul now sees Jesus and is sightless to the world. He is transformed by this experience. His persecution of the church is in fact seen by God as persecution of Jesus. The good Pharisee, Saul enters into a time of fasting in order to understand what has taken place. He is no longer in charge of his life. He has been claimed and will never be the same again.

Reflection questions:
1. What role does religious experience play in your faith life? How do you interpret these experiences.
2. What does the selection of Saul/Paul say about the deep of God’s grace?
3. What does Jesus statement that Paul is persecuting him say about Jesus’ relationship with the church?