First Reading

Reading from the Acts of the Apostles

Acts 9:1-20

In those days, Saul was still breathing murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that he might bring to Jerusalem in chains any men or women whom he could find who belonged to the Way.

As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, «Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?» «Who are you, Lord?» Saul asked. «I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,» he replied. «Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.»

The men traveling with Saul stood speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink.

In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, «Ananias!» «Yes, Lord,» he answered. The Lord told him, «Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.»

«Lord,» Ananias answered, «I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.» But the Lord said to Ananias, «Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.»

Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, «Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.» Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus and at once began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.

Gospel

Reading from the holy Gospel according to Saint John

John 6:52-59

At that time the Jews began to argue among themselves, «How can this man give us his flesh to eat?»

Jesus said to them, «Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.

For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me.

This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.»

These things Jesus said while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.