Year C – Easter 3 | Acts 9:1-20; Psalm 30; Revelation 5:11-14; John 21:1-19
Saul of Tarsus was a devoted man of faith. He was passionate to defend his faith. His zeal, however, caused him to hate with his faith. He was blinded by his faith. And it was a blinding light from above that prompted literal blindness of sight, forcing him to deal with internal struggles.
Psalm 30 is an appropriate response to the Acts story of Saul’s blinded faith. The Psalm explains the transition from Saul of Tarsus, persecutor of the Church to Paul the Apostle, servant of the Church. Divine healing was delivered to one brought down. The harsh calling of God overturning the immovable zealot soon was followed by forgiveness and healing. Mourning was turned into dancing; sackcloth into joy. The newly emerged Paul never stopped giving thanks to God for his miraculous salvation.
The text from Revelation 5 indicates that if the living and powerful risen Christ were fully revealed to us, we too as Paul would be glorifying God. Our chief end is to glorify God yet sometimes we are locked into a religious belief and practice that puts tradition above God’s word. With the vision from Revelation, our blinded faith is defeated. Our actions match our words to ascribe glory to God.
The Gospel response in John 21 encourages us to cast aside our limited understanding – our blinded faith. Peter recommitted his life to follow Jesus. Not as at first when he expected drama and glory with little responsibility. This time, he understood the cost – Jesus died. Peter’s blinded faith now had the vision of Christ’s glory.
Jesus resurrected and lives today. As we follow our Lord, let us not get blinded by our understanding of faith. Let us be willing to demonstrate love over always “being right” in how we articulate our theology. Loving God’s people is the work of those whose blinded faith has been restored by the vision of our loving Lord.