The Effects of Darkness

~~~ Acts of the Apostles 9:1-20 ~~~ Psalm 117 ~~~

~~~ John 6:52-59 ~~~

God used physical blindness to lead Saul 

out of his spiritual darkness.

The spiritual darkness within Saul's heart 

held him in emotional darkness as well.

 ...he has authority from the chief priests

to imprison all who call upon your name.

He was going about rounding up each person

 who believed in the Way.

He carried this out in very methodical 

disconnected manner.

He was operating on auto pilot without much thought.

He had a mission and he diligently carried it out.

He had the authorities giving him his orders

and he acted in accordance.

God needed to impress upon Saul who really had the power.

God had the power to cast a light so bright to cause blindness...

a light so startling bright that he fell off his horse.

“Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”

Saul did not realize that whatever he did

 to the least of the people he was also doing to God.

We struggle with this concept of God right now.

Just as the living Father sent me

and I have life because of the Father,

so also the one who feeds on me will 

have life because of me. 

When the scales are removed from Saul's 

eyes he was changed man.

His darkness was dispelled with the light of God.

He soon began to become a true believer.

He began to preach fearlessly to everyone along his path.

Saul, given the Holy Spirit,

could now redirect his commitment

 to his new mission...toward the things of God.

God takes our weaknesses and in his own way 

transforms them to support our strengths.

Saul's darkness of heart was transformed

 into a light for all of us.

We often hear of someone who is able to turn

 their darkness into good for others.

People who suffer the loss of a child...

recovering alcoholics...amputees participating

 in all aspects of life.

Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood

remains in me and I in him.

Saul captured this truth about God...

took it completely into his being

and shared it in holy places.

We are Blessed to have the gift of the Eucharist

which keeps us in close relationship with God.

God desires us to be in communion with Him.

Saul was 

 a chosen instrument 

of God and you are too.

We can all be his instruments...

Which one would you choose to be...

a drum, cymbal, cello, trumpet, or a gong?

I invite you to make some noise for God today.

~~~Peace~~~