When Jesus reveals himself to us, we experience a deep conversion

Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor.

A reflection on the daily readings, by Father Perry, for Friday of the Third Week of Easter.

By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor

+ Who would have thought? Saul? Really? Saul, the one who was persecuting Christians — throwing them in jail — whole families? Saul? Jesus the risen Lord would choose Saul? Saul would be called and invited? Saul would see the light?

Well, in the end, you simply have to say that anyone can receive grace, and that grace can bring about the most profound conversion experience. The only thing required is to eventually say yes!

Saul became Paul; he even got a new name in the process and had to open himself up to it — albeit in a pretty dramatic and startling way.

And we all know that this was not only one of the most incredible conversion stories, but also that the church would never be the same after the Holy Spirit got under his skin; hence, perhaps the famous song by Frank Sinatra —

“I’ve got you under my skin. I’ve got you deep in the heart of me. So deep in my heart, you’re really a part of me. I’ve got you under my skin.”

St. Paul, apostle — formerly called Saul; he was a persecutor of Christians.

And for the last 2,000 years we have had ample opportunity to see just how deep and great was the power and effect that Jesus the Christ had on Saul, later Paul.

In the Bread of Life discourse (Chapter 6 of John’s Gospel), Jesus not only clearly reveals who he is, but how he was to be our Spiritual food and drink.

It may have sounded strange at the time; it even provoked the Jews into quarreling over it, querying —

“How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”

And they just did not and could not discover the deep carnal flesh and blood that was being delivered and waiting to be truly discovered.

True food! True drink!

Something so much more than fleshy stuff, it is Spiritual food and drink, and Spiritual power and grace. Jesus was giving us the possibility of true union with him.

As he simply put —

“Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood
remains in me and I in him. …
… So also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me.”

And then Jesus finally draws the contrast that makes his point and teaching clear —

“Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died,
whoever eats this bread will live forever.”

Talk about wonder bread. Simply amazing!