Many Times Fear Is At the Root of Violence

The Daily Office continues its trek through the Acts of the Apostles, and today we see where Paul, once the hunter, becomes the hunted:

In the morning the Jews joined in a conspiracy and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. There were more than forty who joined in this conspiracy. They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food until we have killed Paul. Now then, you and the council must notify the tribune to bring him down to you, on the pretext that you want to make a more thorough examination of his case. And we are ready to do away with him before he arrives.”

Now the son of Paul’s sister heard about the ambush; so he went and gained entrance to the barracks and told Paul. Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the tribune, for he has something to report to him.” So he took him, brought him to the tribune, and said, ‘The prisoner Paul called me and asked me to bring this young man to you; he has something to tell you.” The tribune took him by the hand, drew him aside privately, and asked, “What is it that you have to report to me?” He answered, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire more thoroughly into his case. But do not be persuaded by them, for more than forty of their men are lying in ambush for him. They have bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink until they kill him. They are ready now and are waiting for your consent.” So the tribune dismissed the young man, ordering him, “Tell no one that you have informed me of this.”

Then he summoned two of the centurions and said, “Get ready to leave by nine o’clock tonight for Caesarea with two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen. Also provide mounts for Paul to ride, and take him safely to Felix, the governor.” (Acts 23:12-24).

Remember when we began our journey through Acts, we read how Paul, then called Saul, hunted the Christians. He was even present when the first deacon, Stephen, was stoned to death. Now the tables have turned and the Jewish people are after Paul. Today we hear how they vowed not to eat or drink until they had killed him. I am struck by their vehemence, their shear hatred of Paul. Many times such emotions have their roots in fear. Many times when people are afraid, they act out in violence. Here the people were afraid that Paul’s actions would eradicate their way of life, what they believed in. No doubt today we witness, from time to time, the same type of behavior. We have to be on guard. We cannot let fear get the best of us. Fear is one of the strongest tools in Satan’s bag.

Let us pray: Lord Christ, when we fear the unknown, when we fear others, bring your peace into our hearts that we may discern the best course of action. Help us to put our trust in the Holy Spirit to guide us to do the Father’s will. Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS:

Second Annual St. Augustine Art Show. This year’s theme is “Spirit”.

9 October 2010 at 10:00 a.m.: The Blessing of the Animals on the Church lawn. Bring your dogs, cats, pets of all kind to be blessed.

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. I would ask everyone to pray especially for Gladys, Pat’s mother, who is in the hospital, as well as Lee, Cindi and Carol.

Your servant in Christ,

Fr. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church

Galveston, Texas 77550