Summary
Today’s scripture includes two call stories embedded in one another, the call and dramatic conversion of Saul and the call of Ananias to be part of Saul’s transformation. While there is much we could say about Saul, the character I am most drawn to in today’s story is Ananias. Ananias is called to go directly into the hands of the enemy. His call is mostly for the good of the other and it involves real risk. And in their encounter with one another both are changed. Ananias courageously welcomes Saul as a brother, not knowing the outcome or even his own safety. And Saul regains his sight and is “filled with the Holy Spirit” (v 17), to go on and be a great leader in the church.
This story invites us to wonder generally about our own call. Maybe we sense a new call or maybe it is a continuation or deepening of a call we are already living into, as was the case with Ananias. But this story also invites each of us into the specific and shared call of loving and open encounter with others, especially those who are different from us. This story is sandwiched between Philip going to meet the Ethiopian eunuch, which results in the baptism of an outsider and outcast, and Peter meeting the Roman Centurion Cornelius, which leads toward the inclusion and falling of the Holy Spirit on Gentiles (as well as baptism). It seems clear that these encounters of Jesus’ disciples and those they meet are an important part of how God brings transformation in the world. Ananias especially invites us to have courage and generosity in our encounters with those we most disagree with, and he does this at a time of great persecution and challenge for the early church. We, too, live in a complicated time for our faith. We, too, are Jesus’ disciples and we are encountering others every day. What s(S)pirit will we bring to such encounters?
Bible References
- Acts 9:1 - 19a
