Ordinary Time

Pause

Jesus, come and be with me.

Awaken me to your presence.

Jesus, come and sit with me.

Guide me in your truth.

Listen

Ananias countered, “Lord, I have heard many reports about this man. People say he has done horrible things to your holy people in Jerusalem. He’s here with authority from the chief priests to arrest everyone who calls on your name.”

The Lord replied, “Go! This man is the agent I have chosen to carry my name before Gentiles, kings, and Israelites. I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”

Ananias went to the house. He placed his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord sent me—Jesus, who appeared to you on the way as you were coming here. He sent me so that you could see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Instantly, flakes fell from Saul’s eyes and he could see again. He got up and was baptized. After eating, he regained his strength.

He stayed with the disciples in Damascus for several days. Right away, he began to preach about Jesus in the synagogues. “He is God’s Son,” he declared.

Acts 9:13-20

Think

Change is not easy. In fact, if you are like me, you do not welcome change because you do not like it. Change, however, is inevitable and, therefore, unavoidable. It leaves us with a quandary: how do we respond? Will you complain without end and be stubborn to no avail? Or will you look for possibilities and ways in which you can grow as a mature individual? The latter is not easy; in fact, it’s the road less traveled.

Saul was on the road, too. He had a plan, and he was good at it. But Jesus had a radically different plan for him. When change interrupts our lives, it is all too easy (and normal) to focus on what we don’t like, the stuff that got in the way of our plans. The challenge is to dig a little deeper and maybe even to squint so that our focus is on God’s plan instead of our own. It might feel like the road less traveled, but Christ assures us, it’s a journey worth taking.

Aram Bae

Pray

Jesus, I thank you for traveling with me on what sometimes feels like the road less traveled. Thank you for loving me and knowing me, for your forgiveness, understanding, and grace. Help me to reflect a life that knows Christ, so that your gospel is shared in what I say and what I do on this road that invites all to travel. Amen.

Go

Christ my Lord, be alive and real in my life.

Christ my Friend, be near and true to your word.

Christ my God, be honored in what I say and do.