Thoughts for the Day

After Paul and Silas had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three sabbath days argued with them from the scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, ‘This is the Messiah, Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you.’ Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women. But the Jews became jealous, and with the help of some ruffians in the market-places they formed a mob and set the city in an uproar. While they were searching for Paul and Silas to bring them out to the assembly, they attacked Jason’s house. When they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some believers before the city authorities, shouting, ‘These people who have been turning the world upside down have come here also, and Jason has entertained them as guests. They are all acting contrary to the decrees of the emperor, saying that there is another king named Jesus.’ The people and the city officials were disturbed when they heard this, and after they had taken bail from Jason and the others, they let them go.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Our reading today comes from the Acts of the Apostles. Paul and Silas travel from Philippi through Amphipolis and Apollonia, to Thessalonica, a journey of over 100 miles. Notice how they make it sound like a casual walk. This is an important place to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ for the city is situated on the great Roman road, the Ignatian Way, which goes from the Adriatic sea to the Middle East. To get the church established here would ensure its spread in many directions.

As we see, Paul and Silas are so successful that they stir up jealousies in the town, and the Jews who are against them gather up some 'ruffians' to create mayhem in searching for Paul and Silas. Failing to find them they go to what appears to be the local centre for the new Christians, the house of Jason, and drag him off to the authorities accusing him of political insurrection.

If we bring our thoughts back to the present, just try to imagine - these Christians are accused of being revolutionaries! Now ask yourself why the Christian message seems to tired today. How can we become revolutionaries again to inspire and inflame new converts and re-awake those Christians who seem to have gone to sleep? Perhaps if we really tried to live the life our Lord wants; if we put our faith into action, we can begin to change our lives and our society once more. From tiny acorns mighty trees can grow! You are the acorn!

Lord Jesus.
help us to reignite a spiritual fire
in ourselves
and by rejuvenating our own faith
may we inspire others
to be revolutionary Christians -
seeking to put You back at the
heart of our lives
and that of our country.
Amen.