Greetings on this the Friday of the Third Week of Easter
Readings: Acts 9:1-20; Ps 117:1bc, 2; Jn 6:52-59
Notes
On his journey, as he was nearing Damascus, a light from the sky suddenly flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” He said, “Who are you, sir?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do.”
Summary
This is the question. Who are you, sir? I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
Why are you persecuting me?
It must have been a shocking experience to encounter the Lord while on a mission to do the worst humans can do – breathing murderous threats. Arrest and enslave those who disagree with you – to bring them back in chains.
Jesus asks Why.
Saul asks Who.
Reflection
Jewish theologian Dr. Eli Lizorkin-Eyzenberg has given impressive translations and insights into the Who question in particular as it applies to the gospel of John. He is worthy of your time. The Who question is a reflection of the basic question: Why should I listen to you? By what authority do you speak?
The Who and the Why are important questions and yet for Jesus the essential question is Why? Our humble Lord did not place his personhood at a higher value than the question: Why do you do these things? Why breathe murderous threats? Why arrest, enslave and bring them back in chains?
Personal Reflection
We focus a lot on the Who question. Who is God and Who am I? Yes, I can give competent answers to those questions.
But Jesus wants us to ask ourselves why. Why do we do these things antithetical to the divine will for humanity? And, the why of the divine love.
Why not shift our thinking?
Who asks me to act rightly is less important than why I need to be told to do so. Why God is so patient is who he is.
First Reading
So Ananias went and entered the house; laying his hands on him, he said, “Saul, my brother, the Lord has sent me, Jesus who appeared to you on the way by which you came, that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately things like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight. He got up and was baptized, and when he had eaten, he recovered his strength.
He stayed some days with the disciples in Damascus, and he began at once to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.
Responsorial
Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.
Gospel Acclamation
Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood, remains in me and I in him, says the Lord.
Gospel
Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my Flesh is true food, and my Blood is true drink. Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood remains in me and I in him. 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. This is the bread that came down from heaven.
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
P.S. Side Bar – A wonderful piece on the Jewish Seder here: https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/the-hidden-arc-of-the-passover-seder/