Daily Reflection for Friday, April 23,, 2021
Peace and Blessings, Friends and Parishioners!
We encourage you to reflect on Friday’s readings at this link:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/042321.cfm
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First Reading: Acts 9:1-20
Responsorial: Psalm 117:1bc, 2
Gospel: John 6:52-59
Our reflection on Friday’s readings:
“He answered, “Here I am, Lord " (Acts 9:10)
Today’s first reading from Acts is an incredible story. It is the story of Saul and his epic tale of conversion. From the person, Saul, who felt called to persecute those who followed Jesus to Paul, the devoted Apostle that would give his life for his Savior. I can well imagine this did not come easily to Saul, hence the need to be struck down and then blinded for 3 days to ensure that Jesus had his full attention. Even better, there were witnesses! Those on his journey with him, heard the same voice he heard and could tell him at a later point that this was not simply a product of his imagination.
The part of the story that I am spending time with is that of Ananias, the person Jesus chose to be the vessel by which Saul would finish his conversion. What would I have done if I had been Ananias? What do I do today when given the chance to choose Jesus? The simplicity and overwhelming clarity with which Ananias immediately responds to Jesus is humbling to me: “Here I am, Lord.” Not, what do you want? Not, Really? Not even, why me? Even after he heard the request and wondered at the validity of the person Jesus wanted him to approach, he followed through. Why? Because Jesus asked.
How many times in my own life have I turned down such an opportunity? Maybe it isn’t comfortable walking into a room full of people I don’t know. Perhaps not knowing a different language keeps me from offering my help. Maybe giving of my time feels like too much at any given moment. So many opportunities to say “Yes, Lord” every day. Do I take them?
What might we be missing if we fail to respond with “Here I am, Lord?”
In Heartfelt Joy,
Lynne Brennan