FRIDAY OF THE WEEK OF EASTER
Table of the Word
First Reading: Acts 9:1-20
Gospel: John 6:52-59
Theme: The Transforming Power of Encountering God.
Reflection
The story of Saul's conversion is one of the most powerful testimonies in Scripture of how a divine encounter can radically change a person's life. Saul, once a zealous persecutor of Christians, meets the risen Christ on the road to Damascus and is forever transformed. This encounter was not only visual and audible, it was deeply spiritual, opening his heart to a new truth (cf. Acts 9:1-20).
Like Saul, we may not always understand or welcome the message at first. But God often sends others: like Ananias to help us interpret, heal, and respond. Saul’s physical blindness mirrored his spiritual blindness. But as he received the Word something like scales fell from his eyes” (Acts 9:18), and he saw both physically and spiritually.
Beloved in Christ there is always a transforming power when we encouter the Loed, it is always a moment of ontological change. There are instances in the Scripture to testify to this. Among them are:
1. Encounter Through Scripture (cf. Luke 24:13–35)
The Road to Emmaus Experience.
Here the two disciples encounter Jesus as they walk and talk about Scripture. Their hearts burn within them as He explains the Word, and they finally recognize Him in the breaking of bread.
2. Encounter Through Calling (cf. Exodus 3:1–12) This gives an account of Moses and the Burning Bush.
God calls Moses by name and gives him a mission. The encounter changes Moses from a fugitive into a prophet.
And other encounter experiences in the Scripture could be found in 1 Kings 19:11–13; as well as Mark 5:25–34 which contains the story of the Woman with the Hemorrhage.
Her desperate faith leads to a healing encounter with Jesus.
Finally, encounter experiences with God are deeply personal moments when God makes His presence known to an individual in a transformative way. These encounters can take many forms, through Scripture, prayer, sacraments, nature, silence, or even suffering; but they always leave a mark on the soul, inviting deeper faith, conversion, and mission.
+ May the Lord bless His words in our hearts both now and forevermore. Amen
© The ARCHIVE 09052025
No comments:
Post a Comment