Paul the Roman Citizen

In today’s reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Paul is sent to Felix the governor:

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.” He wrote a letter to this effect:

“Claudius Lysias to his Excellency the governor Felix, greetings. This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them, but when I had learned that he was a Roman citizen, I came with the guard and rescued him. Since I wanted to know the charge for which they accused him, I had him brought to their council. I found that he was accused concerning questions of their law, but was charged with nothing deserving death or imprisonment. When I was informed that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, ordering his accusers also to state before you what they have against him.”

So the soldiers, according to their instructions, took Paul and brought him during the night to Antipatris. The next day they let the horsemen go on with him, while they returned to the barracks. When they came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they presented Paul also before him. On reading the letter, he asked what province he belonged to, and when he learned that he was from Cilicia, he said, “I will give you a hearing when your accusers arrive.” Then he ordered that he be kept under guard in Herod’s headquarters. (Acts 23:23-35).

Paul caused quite a stir as we can see from today’s reading. Although Paul was a circumcised Jew, and a Pharisee, he was born in the city of Tarsus. See Acts 22:27, 28. A hundred years before, the Roman politician Anthony had conferred Roman citizenship upon all the inhabitants of Tarsus, and this was later attested to by Emperor Caesar Augustus. See Acts 21:39; 22:3. As a result, Paul was entitled to certain rights, one of which was a hearing before a Roman official. As the story unfolds, we will see what that gets him. You mat recall that Jesus, although not a Roman citizen, was brought before Pontius Pilate.

Sometimes civil officials get things wrong, even quite wrong. That was true in Jesus’ day and in Paul’s day as well. It is true in our day. No doubt, being a civil official charged with the responsibility of governing is no easy task. Sometimes civil officials look out for their own interests and not those of the citizenry. We should keep in our prayers all civil officials so that they may discharge their duties faithfully always keeping in mind that they are the servants of the people.

Let us pray: Lord God and King, open the hearts and minds of all civil officials to do what is best for those that they serve. Make them ever mindful that they are called not for their own gain, but to govern with justice. Guide their decisions for the welfare and right governance of all Your people. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and ever more. Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

Saturday, 9 October at 10:00 a.m.: the Blessing of the Animals on the Church lawn. Pets of all sizes and varieties are welcome.

The Second Annual Art Show continues this weekend.

Please remember everyone on our prayer list, especially, Gladys, Pat, Lee, Cindi, Seth and Peggy.

Your servant in Christ,

Fr. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church

Galveston, Texas 77550