I thought I would write tonight about 2 different, yet similar stories of faith.
We may wonder why God chose Saul, educated as a Pharisee who furiously persecuted Christ's followers, to become the instrument through whom many Gentile communities would embrace Christianity. He had a keen mind and an excellent education, but what set him apart from the Pharisees who rejected Christ?
It was his "faith,"— while the dissenters who rejected Christ followed the Judaic practices, some were more concerned with "self," rather than developing a deep knowledge of, and genuine love for, Christ. Their fear of change and loss of status shut their minds and hearts to Jesus.
In contrast, Saul was motivated by the love of God and of his people. Therefore, being visited by Christ and rendered blind for three days showed him his lack of spiritual perception. He regained his sight when God sent Ananias to witness Christ to him, pray for Saul's healing and baptize him to receive the Holy Spirit to give him the light he needed to discern Christ's true identity. God gives His gift of faith to those whose love for God has opened their hearts to receive it.
John 6:52-59 also deals with "faith," first on the part of the Apostles and also, to the present day, by all believers who accept Christ's words that the bread and wine He gives us are truly His Body and Blood.
This repeated act of communion indicates God's Son is nourishing us eternally with His gift of new life. Because this earthly flesh is prone to imperfections and inconsistencies, we require confessing our sins, repenting, and accepting His healing and forgiving balm.
Christ comes to us in His totality, human and divine, both in a visible and in an invisible form within the Communion Wafer. When we receive Him with a heartfelt faith, He strengthens us in body and soul through His sanctifying graces in preparation for our entrance into our heavenly home.
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