Bribes and Buying Favor

Today we hear how politics impacts Paul:

Some days later when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him speak concerning faith in Christ Jesus. And as he discussed justice, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, “Go away for the present; when I have an opportunity, I will send for you.” At the same time he hoped that money would be given to him by Paul, and for that reason he used to send for him very often and converse with him.

After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and since he wanted to grant the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.

Three days after Festus had arrived in the province, he went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem where the chief priests and the leaders of the Jews gave him a report against Paul. They appealed to him and requested, as a favor to them against Paul, to have him transferred to Jerusalem. They were, in fact, planning an ambush to kill him along the way. Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea, and that he himself intended to go there shortly. “So”, he said, “let those of you who have the authority come down with me, and if there is anything wrong about the man, let them accuse him.”

After he had stayed among them for not more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea; the next day he took his seat on the tribunal and ordered Paul to be brought. When he arrived, the Jews who had gone down from Jerusalem surrounded him, bringing many serious charges against him, which they could not prove. Paul said in his defense, “I have in no way committed an offence against the law of the Jews, or against the temple, or against the emperor.” But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, asked Paul, “Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and be tried there before me on these charges?” Paul said, “I am appealing to the emperor’s tribunal; this is where I should be tried. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as you very well know. Now if I am in the wrong and have committed something for which I deserve to die, I am not trying to escape death; but if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can turn me over to them. I appeal to the emperor.” Then Festus, after he had conferred with his council, replied, “You have appealed to the emperor; to the emperor you will go.” (Acts 24:24-25:12).

Political favors, desires for bribes—that’s Felix’s plan. Then the next government official comes in, Porcius Festus, and he wants to get in good with the people, and he leaves Paul in prison. Then Festus comes in, and Paul appeals to the emperor, so Festus sends Paul off to the emperor. Yet in the midst of this, Paul remains faithful, even though he cannot get justice.

Sometimes it is difficult to get justice. You don’t have to look far. All you have to do is listen to the news—unlawful foreclosures, people unjustly convicted, and more. We can see this happening even around the Island. Sometimes the system that is supposed to provide us with justice fails. What are we to do? The first thing we need to do it to pray. Prayer in the midst of dealing with injustice is essential.

Let us pray: Lord God give us strength to deal with the injustice that we witness or may even face personally. Help us to right the wrongs that we encounter. Send your Holy Spirit to be our constant companion, this we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

Saturday, 9 October at 10 a.m. the Blessing of the Animals on the Church lawn.

Second Sunday Contemporary Music with Carlos Williams at 8 a.m.

The Second Annual Art Show continues.

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially Gladys, Pat, Lee, Carol, Cindi and Seth.

Your servant in Christ,

Fr. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church

Galveston, Texas 77550