May 9, 2025, Friday of the third week of Easter.

Saul, still breathing murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord,

went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus,

that if he should find any men or women who belonged to the way, he might bring

them back to Jerusalem in chains. On his journey, as he was nearing Damascus, a light from the

sky suddenly flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him,

Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? He said, who are you, sir? The reply came,

I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. Now get up and go into the city, and you will be

told what you must do. The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, for they heard the

voice, but could see no one.

Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes, could see nothing.

So they led him by the hand, and brought him to Damascus.

For three days he was unable to see, and he neither ate nor drank.

There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias, and 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 Strait and ask at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul.

He is there praying, and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him, that he may regain his sight.

But Ananias replied,

Lord, I have heard from many sources about this man,

what evil things he has done to your holy ones in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the

chief priests to imprison all who call upon your name. But the Lord said to him, go, for this man is a chosen

instrument of mine, to carry my name before Gentiles, kings, and children of Israel,

and I will show him what he will have to suffer for my name.

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