First Reading
Acts 9:1-20
Read this as the first big movement of the day. Notice what God is doing, who is speaking, and what part of the story or teaching should stay with you.
9:1And Saul, as yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,
2And asked of him letters to Damascus, to the synagogues: that if he found any men and wemen of this way, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
3And as he went on his journey, it happened that he drew nigh to Damascus; and suddenly a light from heaven shined round about him.
4And falling on the ground, he heard a voice saying to him: Saul, Saul, why persecutest you me?
5Who said: Who art you, Lord? And he: I am Jesus whom you persecutest. It is hard for you to kick against the goad.
6And he trembling and astonished, said: Lord, what will you have me to do?
7And the Lord said to him: Arise, and go into the city, and there it shall be told you what you must do. Now the men who went in company with him, stood amazed, hearing indeed a voice, but seeing no man.
8And Saul arose from the ground; and when his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. But they leading him by the hands, brought him to Damascus.
9And he was there three days, without sight, and he did neither eat nor drink.
10Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias. And the Lord said to him in a vision: Ananias. And he said: Look I am here, Lord.
11And the Lord said to him: Arise, and go into the street that is called Stait, and seek in the house of Judas, one named Saul of Tarsus. For look he prays.
12(And he saw a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hands upon him, that he might receive his sight.)
13But Ananias answered: Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem.
14And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all that invoke your name.
15And the Lord said to him: Go your way; for this man is to me a container of election, to carry my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel.
16For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
17And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house. And laying his hands upon him, he said: Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus has sent me, he that appeared to you in the way as you came; that you may receive your sight, and be satisfied with the Holy Ghost.
18And immediately there fell from his eyes as it were scales, and he received his sight; and rising up, he was baptized.
19And when he had taken food, he was strengthened. And he was with the disciples that were at Damascus, for some days.
20And immediately he preached Jesus in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.