In this morning’s Daily Office readings, we continue in the Acts of the Apostles, and we hear what happened after the ship wreck.
After we had reached safety, we then learned that the island was called Malta. The natives showed us unusual kindness. Since it had begun to rain and was cold, they kindled a fire and welcomed all of us round it. Paul had gathered a bundle of brushwood and was putting it on the fire, when a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “This man must be a murderer; though he has escaped from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live.” He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. They were expecting him to swell up or drop dead, but after they had waited a long time and saw that nothing unusual had happened to him, they changed their minds and began to say that he was a god.
Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. It so happened that the father of Publius lay sick in bed with fever and dysentery. Paul visited him and cured him by praying and putting his hands on him. After this happened, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. They bestowed many honors on us, and when we were about to sail, they put on board all the provisions we needed.
Three months later we set sail on a ship that had wintered at the island, an Alexandrian ship with the Twin Brothers as its figurehead. We put in at Syracuse and stayed there for three days; then we weighed anchor and came to Rhegium. After one day there a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. There we found believers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome. The believers from there, when they heard of us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage.
When we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him. (Acts 28: 1-16).
I can picture the scene as Paul and the others came on shore. The description given in the account is vivid. They are welcomed by the people of Malta. Paul lives among them and cures the ill who come for healing. After three months, Paul sets sail again with his guard for Rome, and finally, he reaches it where he is held under house arrest.
What a journey Paul had. He was imprisoned, ship wrecked and a whole host of other things. Paul certainly did not plan to be jailed or ship wrecked. Yet that happened to him. Paul pressed on in faith, putting all of his trust in God. Christ did the same thing. He knew that life could be difficult. Jesus went through life as we do, fully human, but as God with us. Jesus understands our suffering because he went through it as well.
Sometimes our lives are like that too. Sometimes life is not easy. Sometimes things do not go as we plan. How do we react when things do not go our way? Do we put our trust in God knowing that everything will work out for good in God’s time?
Let us pray: dear Lord, when times are difficult, when things do not go as we plan, be with us. You lived as one of us. You lived through difficult times and even died on a cross. Give us the sight to see that we share in your resurrection, and that no matter what life throws our way, you are with us, guiding us to life eternal with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
CALENDAR REMINDERS
Sunday, 17 October 2010, the Heritage Choral Choir at the 9 a.m. service.
Adult Christian Formation: The Gospel According to Mark at 11:15 a.m. in Bright-Davies Hall.
Please remember to pray for everyone on our Prayer List and especially for Lee, Cindi, Carol, Marilyn, Gladys, Pat, Don Soske and his family and loved ones, and Shalea Callis.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
No comments:
Post a Comment