Third Sunday of Easter 2025

As much as I would have liked to stay with the Resurrection appearance of the Risen Christ in our Gospel Reading, I am drawn instead to the Risen Lord’s appearance to one Saul of Tarsus in our First Reading. What is special about this appearance is that it took place well after the 40 days following the first Easter when nearly all such appearances took place. It is also noteworthy that Christ appears to one who was not His disciple at the time. Far from it!  In fact, Saul was on the way to Damascus “breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord.” He wished to arrest and bring them to trial in Jerusalem. What takes place in our First Reading is often referred to as “The Conversion of Saul” or “Saul’s Damascus Road Experience.” And we can benefit from him in learning how the Gospel comes to us after Good Friday and Easter…