Brother Saul

The Story

Saul of Tarsus was on his way to Damascus with letters authorizing him to arrest anyone who followed Jesus. Then, near the city, a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice: “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?”

“Who art thou, Lord?” “I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.”

When Saul got up, he was blind. His companions led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he couldn’t see, and he didn’t eat or drink.

Meanwhile, in Damascus, the Lord spoke to a believer named Ananias. Go to a certain house on Straight Street, He said, and ask for Saul of Tarsus.

Ananias was alarmed. “Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints.” He had come to arrest people like Ananias.

But the Lord said, “Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me.”

So Ananias went. He walked into the house of his enemy, laid his hands on him, and said, “Brother Saul.” Immediately something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see. He got up, was baptized, ate, and regained his strength.

Reflection