Blinded by the Light

I have always been fascinated by the conversion of Saul who became St Paul, especially in more recent decades when I became interested in Garabandal with the promise of a great Warning or Illumination for all of mankind. I have been waiting for the warning every year since the mid-1980s when I first read of Garabandal <and my belief in these apparitions was instant because they resonated of the truth and also because of the deep Catholic mysticism that pervaded Garabandal and the visionaries during the period of the apparitions>

What interests me is the phenomenon of the Illumination that is the 'Light' that will shine forth from Heaven when the warning occurs perhaps preceded by the appearance of an angel of Light. The conversion experience of Saul is perhaps the precursor of what will be experienced on the day of the Illumination of all consciences. God is the God of the past, present and future so past events inform future events in the Scriptures. Let us look at the experience of Saul so that we might better understand what is going to happen on that Damascus day! On that day Saul alone experienced the Light but on the day of the Warning everyone in the World will experience it simultaneously.

Acts 9:v3- 9
And as he made the journey, it happened that he was approaching Damascus. And suddenly, a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he: “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goad.” And he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do you want me to do?” And the Lord said to him, “Rise up and go into the city, and there you will be told what you ought to do.” Now the men who were accompanying him were standing stupefied, hearing indeed a voice, but seeing no one. Then Saul rose up from the ground. And upon opening his eyes, he saw nothing. So leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus. And in that place, he was without sight for three days, and he neither ate nor drank.

I have highlighted Saul's experience/reaction to the Light of God.
The event was sudden.
The Light shone so brightly that it shone around Saul.
Saul immediately fell to the ground either through fear or some inner compulsion.
Saul was trembling with fear <and he was a tough nut!>
Saul was astonished even though he was a 'religious man'.
The Light had affected his eyes even though he hit the ground suddenly.
When he arose he was 'blind' - 'blinded by the Light'
Saul was blind for three days before 'scales fell from his eyes'.
Saul did not eat or drink for three days - his whole system was so shocked by the event he could neither eat nor drink! He was instantly disoriented and needed divine assistance and healing to recover.

There was another event described in the New Testament similar to this and experienced by Jesus' closest apostles - Peter, James & John during His transfiguration: Matthew 17v1-8

Jesus took Peter and James and his brother John, and he led them onto a lofty mountain separately. And he was transfigured before them. And his face shined brightly like the sun. And his garments were made white like snow. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, speaking with him. And Peter responded by saying to Jesus: “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you are willing, let us make three tabernacles here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” And while he was still speaking, behold, a shining cloud overshadowed them. And behold, there was a voice from the cloud, saying: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.” And the disciples, hearing this, fell prone on their face, and they were very afraid. And Jesus drew near and touched them. And he said to them, “Rise up and do not be afraid.” And lifting up their eyes, they saw no one, except Jesus alone.

Jesus was transfigured in His glory and his closest disciples were able to view this without any problems perhaps indicating their closeness to Jesus the Light of the World. Those who live by the Light are familiar with the Light but to those living in darkness the Light can be painful. We saw the Chilean miners coming to the surface with sun-glasses because they had been living in darkness for several weeks. Interestingly, the 3 disciples reacted in the same way as Saul when they heard the voice of the Father - they fell upon their faces and were very afraid and could only arise when 'Jesus touched them'.

What we learn then is that the Illumination will affect everyone spiritually but also it seems there will be physical affects too.

What is the source of the Light?

Perhaps an Angel or the Light of our Lord Jesus Christ, a manifestation of His Glory – we may see through the veil but briefly and perhaps if we are in a state of grace it will be more of a transfiguration experience or if we are in mortal sin a purification/painful experience.

 

It's the Light of the Holy Spirit, the same Light seen at Pentecost in flames of Fire.

Its normative in reports of Apparitions to see Our Lady , 'clothed in White' as at, for instance; Knock.



...and at Fatima, was seen Our Lady is in White



the white of heaven of the Holy Spirit

as at the Masabielle, at Lourdes:




]

 

I mention this because when I was converted I saw Our Lady dressed in white..........

so I would not be afraid of seeing the Light ...or the Lady in White....consider the alternative....of NOT seeing the Light..................this is why the sun dances................

 

I am reminded of a verse from Scripture when Jesus spoke about the coming of the Holy Spirit:

“Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief. But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

 

Yes, this is a very ,very great mystery , Bobby.

It reminds me of the revolving door in a great hotel.



In that God constanlty seems to be coming and going , coming and going.

But taking a step back in my own life I must say...well yes He seems to keep going in and out thorugh the revolving door but generally each time He comes back He comes back stronger.


...and you know in the lives of the Saints I think you can see this so well in their deaths. For on their death beds time and time and time again we see Jesus just going straight out the revolving door..but in the going out we can can see the REAl strenght of their faith.......so the same for us when Jesus heads out the revolving door.

"Beloved, think it not strange, concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you; but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, that when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy" (I Peter 4:12, 13).