Friday of the Third Week of Easter April 15, 2005 Scripture: Acts 9:1-20: John 6:52-59 Reflection: It is a fact that if you care to close your eyes for a few moments you will experience a bodily darkness, in which you can no longer perceive light from the material world. There is another Light, however, that dwells within every human being; a “divine spark,” as it were. This spark can be extinguished only where faith, hope and love are lacking in one’s heart. In today’s reading of Saul’s conversion, we learn that as he was traveling to Damascus, his heart was filled with hatred and arrogance. When Saul was knocked from his horse, he was not only physically blinded but spiritually blinded as well. With Saul’s conversion, he became a believer and was then able to accept the call from Jesus, to lead others to a “new way” of sight. On our “Damascus Journeys,” haven’t we also been “knocked from our horses”? In these moments, our inner Light has been darkened and we have been in need of admitting that indeed, we are sinners! In this admission of our sinfulness, we also need to acknowledge that we are loved and forgiven. (You may open your eyes now; darkness has given way to Light.) Suggested Action: Sit in stillness with your eyes closed, centered on the Light, leave the rest to God. Sr. Joel Marie Sheehe, IHM Cresco, Pennsylvania