May 2, 2020
1 May — Bible Study
The Bible reading selected for Bible study Yesterday came from the Acts of the Apostles Chapter 9 verse 1 to 20 (Acts 9:1–20)
1 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest
2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.
3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.
4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied.
6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone.
8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus.
9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”“Yes, Lord,” he answered.
11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying.
12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”
13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem.
14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”
15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.
16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord — Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here — has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized,
19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.
20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.
The Faithful of Our Heavenly Father Parish of Lusaka Archdiocese had this to share in their Bible Study on an online Forum:
Bible Study Opening
🕯️🕯️🕯️In the name of the Father,the Son and the Holy Spirit🕯️🕯️🕯️….
As the spirit leads…the floor is open…
Sharing
Saul’s conversion is one of the events of the bible that I hold so dear to my heart,because to me it actually demonstrates that God is patient and His mercy endures forever,it really doesn’t matter what you have done because when God sets you apart he sets apart totally. My desire for loved ones and people I don’t know who are antagonistic, apathetic, or distant toward God is that Jesus will reach out to them the way he reached out to Saul…
Scales falling from Saul’s eyes so that he can see again out of darkness into the light is a vivid image…
My daily challenge has always been how best I can share my faith with loved ones(those I know well and those I don’t really know)so that they can hear me as Saul heard Jesus☺️
🙏🏽Amen
Amen 😌
Reply: Indeed. God can use anyone to spread His word. He often comes in our weakness and He uses ordinary people in significant ways. Romans 5: 6 says while we were still weak at right time Christ died for the ungodly.
🙏🏾indeed
Amen
🙏🏽
In verse 15 of our reading. The Lord describes Saul as his chosen instrument.
When we begin to think then what might be some of the qualities of God’s instrument. We see in Saul — Passion, determination of even going to the ends of the world and initiative as some of his qualities. All he needed was a slight change in perspective.
As people baptized in faith we reminded not to scorn the people that we still see distanced from the Lord, but recognize their qualities and seek to transform them into tools for God’s kingdom.
Amen
🙏🏾🕯️
Bible Study Closing — Anima Christi Prayer
We thank God for his word…
Soul of Christ, Sanctify Me
Body of Christ, Inebriate Me
Water From the side of Christ Strengthen me
Good Jesus, Hear Me
Within Your Wounds,Hide Me
Don’t allow me to be separated from you
From the malevolent enemy defend me
In the hour of death call me and bid me to come to you that with your saints I may praise you forever and ever✝️
St Ignatius Pray For Us🙏🏽
Thank you for your time reading,
The wake of the Novel Corona Virus pandemic reminds us now more than ever that worship is not about the physical buildings we congregate in, but the actual spiritual connection with God that we get through various vehicles that allow us to commune. Utilize digital tools!
Stay Safe!!!
