The courage of Ananias

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For more commentary on this week's readings, see the Reflections on the Lectionary page, which includes Shelley's current Living by the Word column as well as past magazine and online-only content. For full-text access to all articles, subscribe to the Century.

"I dream of walking the streets of Damascus," sighed a Syrian refugee whose radio interview I heard on my evening commute. His voice trailed off into a wistful silence. I had been engrossed in his story, but at the interview's end, my mind connected the refugee's lament and longing for a Damascus road story of long ago.