We pick up where we left off yesterday in the Acts of the Apostles. Today, Paul is being harassed by the Jewish leaders who take him to the civil authority who refuses to get involved. Then we see Paul set sail for Syria with his new companions in ministry, Priscilla and Aquila:
But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him before the tribunal. They said, “This man is persuading people to worship God in ways that are contrary to the law.” Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of crime or serious villainy, I would be justified in accepting the complaint of you Jews; but since it is a matter of questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves; I do not wish to be a judge of these matters.” And he dismissed them from the tribunal. Then all of them seized Sosthenes, the official of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal. But Gallio paid no attention to any of these things.
After staying there for a considerable time, Paul said farewell to the believers and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had his hair cut, for he was under a vow. When they reached Ephesus, he left them there, but first he himself went into the synagogue and had a discussion with the Jews. When they asked him to stay longer, he declined; but on taking leave of them, he said, “I will return to you, if God wills.” Then he set sail from Ephesus.
When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem and greeted the church, and then went down to Antioch. After spending some time there he departed and went from place to place through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.
Now there came to Ephesus a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria. He was an eloquent man, well-versed in the scriptures. He had been instructed in the Way of the Lord; and he spoke with burning enthusiasm and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue; but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained the Way of God to him more accurately. And when he wished to cross over to Achaia, the believers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. On his arrival he greatly helped those who through grace had become believers, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the scriptures that the Messiah is Jesus. (Acts 18: 12-28).
Right in the middle of today’s Daily Office passage is Paul’s haircut. You might wonder, “What is that about?” It refers, in all likelihood, to Paul taking a Nazarite vow. A Nazarite was the name given by the Hebrews to a person set apart and especially consecrated to the Lord. According to the Jewish law in the Book of Numbers, chapter 4, verse 12, Nazarites could be men or women. They were bound to abstain during the period of their consecration from wine and all intoxicating drink, and even from all products of the vineyard in any form. During the same period the hair must be allowed to grow as a mark of holiness. At the end of the period, one who shave and get a haircut. It was a “liturgical” experience, in many ways similar to our Lenten practice, a period of penitential observance.
In a recent article, the Rev. Richard R. Losch wrote: “Liturgy is much more than just the formal words that we find in prayer books and service guides. It embraces everything that is involved in worship, including not only our words but also all that we experience in a worship service. While the liturgy of the Church is rich in spiritual and theological traditions, it is also rich in its appeal to the five senses of human nature: seeing, hearing, feeling, smelling and tasting. A liturgical event that fails to involve all the senses is incomplete, because it leaves out a part of what makes us human. . . . God speaks to us and deals with us in terms we can understand. The state of everlasting life in the presence of God, as glorious as the concept may be, is beyond our comprehension. It is communicated to us on a level we can grasp: our earthly senses. A beautiful sight, an uplifting sound, a gentle touch, a delightful odor, the sweet taste of the heavenly banquet — all these work together in the liturgy to bring us to a deeper experience of God’s love.” Senses in the Liturgy, The Living Church, 17 September 2010.
CALENDAR REMINDERS:
25 September, Celebration at St. Vincent’s House at 10 a.m. with Houston’s Heroes and then at 11:00 a.m. health walk with refreshments after.
25 September, the Opening of the Second Annual St. Augustine Art Show. This year’s theme is “Spirit”. The opening reception will be at 6 p.m.
26 September at 9 a.m. at St. Augustine’s Eucharist Rite II celebrating St. Vincent’s House. Given these hard economic times, people are more and more in need of help at St. Vincent’s. For Sunday’s service, please bring food items to help stock the food pantry at St. Vincent’s House.
2 October 2010, the St. Augustine Fish Fry! It’s back, and it will be done in conjunction with the Second Annual St. Augustine Art Show. Tickets go on sale soon.
PLEASE REMEMBER EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST, especially those serving in the Armed Forces at home or abroad, the chronically ill, people undergoing special medical concerns, those who care for the elderly, those who are traveling, and those who have no one to pray for them.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him before the tribunal. They said, “This man is persuading people to worship God in ways that are contrary to the law.” Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of crime or serious villainy, I would be justified in accepting the complaint of you Jews; but since it is a matter of questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves; I do not wish to be a judge of these matters.” And he dismissed them from the tribunal. Then all of them seized Sosthenes, the official of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal. But Gallio paid no attention to any of these things.
After staying there for a considerable time, Paul said farewell to the believers and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had his hair cut, for he was under a vow. When they reached Ephesus, he left them there, but first he himself went into the synagogue and had a discussion with the Jews. When they asked him to stay longer, he declined; but on taking leave of them, he said, “I will return to you, if God wills.” Then he set sail from Ephesus.
When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem and greeted the church, and then went down to Antioch. After spending some time there he departed and went from place to place through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.
Now there came to Ephesus a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria. He was an eloquent man, well-versed in the scriptures. He had been instructed in the Way of the Lord; and he spoke with burning enthusiasm and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue; but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained the Way of God to him more accurately. And when he wished to cross over to Achaia, the believers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. On his arrival he greatly helped those who through grace had become believers, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the scriptures that the Messiah is Jesus. (Acts 18: 12-28).
Right in the middle of today’s Daily Office passage is Paul’s haircut. You might wonder, “What is that about?” It refers, in all likelihood, to Paul taking a Nazarite vow. A Nazarite was the name given by the Hebrews to a person set apart and especially consecrated to the Lord. According to the Jewish law in the Book of Numbers, chapter 4, verse 12, Nazarites could be men or women. They were bound to abstain during the period of their consecration from wine and all intoxicating drink, and even from all products of the vineyard in any form. During the same period the hair must be allowed to grow as a mark of holiness. At the end of the period, one who shave and get a haircut. It was a “liturgical” experience, in many ways similar to our Lenten practice, a period of penitential observance.
In a recent article, the Rev. Richard R. Losch wrote: “Liturgy is much more than just the formal words that we find in prayer books and service guides. It embraces everything that is involved in worship, including not only our words but also all that we experience in a worship service. While the liturgy of the Church is rich in spiritual and theological traditions, it is also rich in its appeal to the five senses of human nature: seeing, hearing, feeling, smelling and tasting. A liturgical event that fails to involve all the senses is incomplete, because it leaves out a part of what makes us human. . . . God speaks to us and deals with us in terms we can understand. The state of everlasting life in the presence of God, as glorious as the concept may be, is beyond our comprehension. It is communicated to us on a level we can grasp: our earthly senses. A beautiful sight, an uplifting sound, a gentle touch, a delightful odor, the sweet taste of the heavenly banquet — all these work together in the liturgy to bring us to a deeper experience of God’s love.” Senses in the Liturgy, The Living Church, 17 September 2010.
CALENDAR REMINDERS:
25 September, Celebration at St. Vincent’s House at 10 a.m. with Houston’s Heroes and then at 11:00 a.m. health walk with refreshments after.
25 September, the Opening of the Second Annual St. Augustine Art Show. This year’s theme is “Spirit”. The opening reception will be at 6 p.m.
26 September at 9 a.m. at St. Augustine’s Eucharist Rite II celebrating St. Vincent’s House. Given these hard economic times, people are more and more in need of help at St. Vincent’s. For Sunday’s service, please bring food items to help stock the food pantry at St. Vincent’s House.
2 October 2010, the St. Augustine Fish Fry! It’s back, and it will be done in conjunction with the Second Annual St. Augustine Art Show. Tickets go on sale soon.
PLEASE REMEMBER EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST, especially those serving in the Armed Forces at home or abroad, the chronically ill, people undergoing special medical concerns, those who care for the elderly, those who are traveling, and those who have no one to pray for them.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
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