Daily Catholic Lectio. Fri, 9 May ’25. Saul was without Sight

Daily Catholic Lectio

Fri, 9 May ‘25

Third Week of Easter – Friday

Acts 9:1–20; John 6:52–59

Saul was without Sight

One of the twelve gates of Jerusalem is called the “Damascus Gate.” It is likely that Paul (then Saul) travelled through this gate on his way to Damascus. Armed with authority to arrest followers of the New Way, Saul sets out to stop its spread. But the Lord Jesus stops him instead—and calls him to be the one who will take this New Way to the Gentiles.

Let us focus on one phrase from today’s first reading: “For three days he (Saul) was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.”

This gives us a glimpse of the power of the vision Saul experienced. If, after a few minutes in sunlight, one enters a dim room and experiences temporary blindness, imagine the radiance of that divine encounter that left Saul blind for three whole days.

Luke outlines three moments in Saul’s transformation:

(a) He who went with speed is halted

Saul, who once moved swiftly and decisively, is suddenly immobilized. His feet can no longer carry him forward.

(b) He could no longer see

And yet, in this physical blindness, the eyes of his soul begin to open.

“Who are you, Lord?”

“Why this vision?”

These are questions that begin to stir within him.

(c) He neither ate nor drank

This was not a chosen fast. It was more likely a mix of shame, guilt, and fear.

Like Elijah, who fled into the wilderness after defeating the prophets of Baal, Saul perhaps felt crushed, defeated, and paralyzed. Elijah once cried out, “Let me die!” Saul may have felt similarly—martyr complex – a kind of inner death, a sense of being erased from life, separated from purpose and others.

But all three of these aspects undergo transformation.

(a) The Lord meets Saul again—this time through a disciple named Ananias.

(b) And what surprises us is Saul’s readiness. This man of high status, with authority from the religious council, listens attentively to the words of an ordinary disciple. It is in this moment that the purpose of Saul’s life is revealed. Until that moment, he had simply been doing what he thought was right. Now, in surrender, he accepts what God asks of him.

(c) It is in the quiet of prayer that the Holy Spirit is poured out upon Saul. Without noise or spectacle, the Spirit enters a simple room—and transforms a soul.

Now, having come to know his life’s purpose, Saul eats again.

The same Lord who stops our life’s journeys in their tracks can also redirect them toward deeper meaning and mission.

Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi

Archdiocese of Madurai

Missionary of Mercy