Daily Catholic Lectio
Friday, 19 April 2024
Third Week of Easter – Friday
Acts 9:1-20. John 6:52-59
Changing paths
“The journey of my priesthood, which began in 2009 (on April 19) with the motto ‘with him’ (‘cum illo’ in Latin) (cf. Mk 3:14), crosses the 15th milestone today. On this day, I walk towards the other dimension of discipleship, ‘with him, the SOWER – Sent Out for Word(s), Empathy, and Resilience,’ deepening my life and ministry into six strategic focus areas: priest, missionary of mercy, content writer, translator, inter-scriptural scholar, and soft-skills mentor. As I thank each of you for walking along with me, I cling to Christ, the Way.”
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The first reading brings before us the first narrative of Paul’s conversion, i.e., the transformation of Saul into Paul on his way to Damascus. Let us reflect on the three expressions that we see in the first reading.
(a) ‘You will be told’
The Lord tells Saul, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” Before encountering the Risen Lord, Saul was telling everyone what he was doing. He had a mission on his own. He had a journey to travel and a report to be given to the Sanhedrin. But his journey is interrupted; the direction is changed. From now on, ‘he will be told.’ He will be told what he has to do and how he must live. ‘You will be told’ or ‘it will be told’ is a military expression. So far, Saul has been a leader in his life. From now on, the Lord will take control of him.
(b) “My chosen instrument”
The Lord reveals through Ananias that Paul will be a chosen instrument. God reveals the signature statement of Paul’s life. Paul is a mere instrument; the work is the Lord’s, and the workers are his as well. The instrument must fulfil the purpose for which it has been made.
(c) “He began at once to proclaim”
Saul, who obtains ‘new vision’ through Ananias, begins ‘to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues. When Paul began his ministry, many might have been suspicious. It is said, “When someone is not happy with your present, they will dig up your past.” Paul did not mind his past. He just goes on preaching the Gospel immediately.
“Changing paths is the journey.”
In the gospel reading, the Jews, who listen to Jesus, raise a question: “How can this man give us His flesh to eat?”
In the gospel of John, understanding always happens at two levels. The interlocutor speaks from one perspective, while the listeners misunderstand Jesus, who gives a summary of the discourse made so far. The expression ‘the bread and the blood’ may refer either to Jesus’ crucifixion or to the Holy Eucharist.
Jesus changes the path of his listening Jews, who were saturated with Manna from heaven.
A journey involves changing paths.
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“One who has hope lives differently,” said Pope Benedict XVI. (Jubilee A. D. 2025, bite 76)
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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