A disciple in Damascus mentioned in Acts, he was sent by the Lord to the blinded Saul. Overcoming his fear, he laid hands on Saul, restored his sight and baptized him, helping bring forth the Apostle to the Gentiles.
Life
Saint Ananias of Damascus is the disciple in Damascus described in Acts chapter 9. Saul, on his way to Damascus to persecute Christians, met the risen Lord on the road and was struck blind. In a vision the Lord told Ananias to go to Saul.
Ananias was afraid, knowing how much harm Saul had done to the Church, but when the Lord said He had chosen Saul as an instrument to carry His name to the Gentiles, Ananias obeyed. He laid hands on Saul, called him brother Saul, and prayed; Saul regained his sight and was baptized. Scripture says nothing about his later life, and the story of his martyrdom is a later tradition.
Spirituality
Ananias's spirituality is obedience and welcome that overcome fear. He hesitated at the call to visit the Church's persecutor, but trusting the Lord's word he called him brother. His small act of obedience helped the great Apostle Paul take his first steps.
Reflection
Ananias approached someone he feared and called him brother. If there is someone you keep at a distance or have closed your heart to, could you trust that God may be at work in that person too?