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May 9, 2025

Acts 9: 1-20

Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” He asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

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.

For several days he was with the disciples in Damascus, and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.”

New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.

May 9, 2025

Profound Conversion

The story of Paul's conversion reveals his calling to follow Jesus. As Paul makes his way to Damascus to fulfill what he is convinced is God's will, Jesus joins him and overturns all his convictions. Paul cannot walk with Jesus because he cannot bear the light of God's love. Although he has open eyes, above-average intelligence, religious knowledge, and piety appreciated by all his masters, it remains clear that Paul walks in darkness. The hatred and loathing of the followers of Jesus make his spiritual life an empty folklore. Suddenly, he is exposed to the truth of divine love, mercy, and compassion. He is deeply touched. Like all the others before him, facing God’s glory, he falls to the ground and surrenders to Christ. Thus, the Lord can make him an instrument of his mission. Like the grain, Paul humbles himself, dies to his old life, and is reborn in Christ.

The Lord is calling us to embrace our own conversions. Are you ready to get on the ground? Lord, grant me the grace of a sincere and profound conversion.

—Fr. Patrick Mugisho, SJ, is a Congolese Jesuit priest living in Chicago and working in fundraising and youth and senior ministry.

May 9, 2025

Prayer

Lord Jesus, open my eyes and my heart that I may walk in your light. Amen.

—Jesuit Prayer team

Pray with the Pope

Before his death, Pope Francis set prayer intentions for each month for the remainder of the year. This month, we are invited to pray for working conditions. Click here for the monthly prayer.

?Since Francis' passing, the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network has also produced this short video.

Welcome to JesuitPrayer.org

Ignatian spirituality reminds us that God pursues us in the routines of our home and work life, and in the hopes and fears of life's challenges. The founder of the Jesuits, Saint Ignatius of Loyola, created the Spiritual Exercises to deepen our relationship with Christ and to move our contemplation into service. May this prayer site anchor your day and strengthen your resolve to remember what truly matters.





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