Today's first reading is about conversion. There is more than one conversion story here. We can say that conversion is a community matter.

Saul was not converted by forces outside of himself: it was not the strong flash from the sky which startled his horse and caused him to fall to the ground which converted Saul. He heard Jesus' voice addressing him and identifying himself with the Christians whom Saul was pursuing to kill. This brought him to realize that Jesus was the Lord. He then obeyed Jesus' command and went into the city to wait for help. Praying and waiting for help (verse 11) were to continue his conversion process.

Ananias, a disciple in the city with long-standing credibility, received the Lord's command: get up and go to the street on which Saul lives, to bless him with the power of the Holy Spirit. Ananias laid down his fear and doubts and extended to Saul a brotherly welcome into the Damascus community. The community must have undergone a conversion similar to that of Ananias before they could receive Saul and later even protect him. With Saul's conversion, the church throughout all Judea, Galilee and Samaria was at peace. (verse 31).