"The Lord said to [Ananias], 'Get up and go to the street called Straight and ask at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul.'" - Acts 9:11a
It's very easy to identify with Saul as we read of his conversion. He encountered the Risen Lord, who convicted Saul of his sinfulness. Having journeyed through Lent weeks ago, we found ourselves reflecting on our own brokenness. We surrendered our brokenness to the Lord as He was crucified for our sins so that we may share in His glory.
Far less often have I viewed the Conversion of Saul from the perspective of Ananias. He was troubled at hearing the Lord's charge to baptize Saul for he knew Saul was a persecutor of Christ's followers. Nevertheless, God, in His infinite mercy, desires the conversion of all sinners; He desired that Ananias play a vital role in Saul's conversion.
As we continue our celebration of Easter, we too are challenged to proclaim the message of salvation. We endured the Lenten desert and have been drawn into conversion. Our conversion is not limited to our own prayer and relationship with Christ but must overflow for the salvation of our neighbor as God's love overflowed for all on the cross and by the Resurrection. Like Ananias, may we hear the call to proclaim the salvation we receive to others, and then courageously respond.
How am I being called to go beyond my own conversion to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus to others?
Risen Lord, send forth Your Spirit and grant us the courage to proclaim Your salvation to all the nations.
Reflection by:
Christian Galvan
Did You Know...
Christian Galvan is a seminarian for the Diocese of St. Petersburg currently enjoying his pastoral year assignment at St. Catherine of Siena in Largo. His home parish is St. Stephen in Riverview. He worked in engineering design and construction management for five years before discerning the call to priesthood. He enjoys singing, cooking, Rays Baseball, and Notre Dame Football.
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