Eastertide

April 30, 2019

Scripture Reading: Acts 9:1-20

Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, ‘Ananias.’ He answered, ‘Here I am, Lord.’ The Lord said to him, ‘Get up and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul. At this moment he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.’ But Ananias answered, ‘Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name.’ But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel; I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.’ So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul and said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength. –Acts 9:10-19

Mentors have been very important in my life. I doubt that the ones with the most influence would realize how much their guidance has meant to me. Teachers, of course, stand out both school and Sunday school, pastors, too. I, like Saul, learned much from co-workers. I worked with some amazing people who dedicated their lives to protecting children and adults, making sure the hungry were fed, helping people learn how to work and finding them jobs, finding health care when none was readily available. People who did not think twice about doing what was right when the powers that be were pushing hard in the opposite direction. People who followed the law to the letter and made it work for the betterment of those they served. And people who worked tirelessly to change bad laws.

Ananias was a mentor in faith for Saul as his transformation from persecuting Christ followers to being one occurred. Oneness is a mutual agreement to mentor each other as members of the Body of Christ.

Prayer: Lord, if we are called to mentor guide our work. When we are being mentored, guide our awareness. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.