Thoughts for the Day

When we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.

Three days later he called together the local leaders of the Jews. When they had assembled, he said to them, ‘Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors, yet I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. When they had examined me, the Romans wanted to release me, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to the emperor—even though I had no charge to bring against my nation. For this reason therefore I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is for the sake of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.’...

He lived there for two whole years at his own expense and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

At the end of the 'Acts of the Apostles' (Luke's second work) we see Paul in his first imprisonment in Rome. While travelling on his missionary journeys through modern-day Greece, Cyprus, Turkey and Syria, among other places, establishing new churches, he has attracted enemies among the Jewish communities. On returning to Jerusalem there are plots to kill him and he is taken before Felix the Governor in Caesarea before being kept in custody for two years during which time he continues teaching about Jesus. Finally he is forced to claim the right of a Roman citizen to appeal to the Emperor and journeys to Rome. This first time of imprisonment in Rome is more like house arrest, it's not harsh and he uses his time to writing letters and spreading the news of Jesus Christ. His evangelistic work never stops.

Paul is finally released after two years, around 62CE because his accusers do not turn up to push their claim. However, in July 64 CE a fire breaks out in Rome, destroying much of the city, and Nero uses the Christians as a scapegoat. Paul is then rearrested and placed in the Mamertine Prison (called the "House of Darkness"), where Christians are largely placed in holding cells in the cellars. His subsequent execution was likely around 68 CE.

On his travels Paul had always made it a priority to go to the local Synagogue where he preached and taught those present about Jesus. But his real ministry was to be to the gentiles. Over the centuries despite great persecution these churches were to grow, and in 2023 the Eastern Orthodox Church which covers many of the places established by Paul and other early apostles, had approximately 250 million baptised members! Those of us in the west are often ignorant of the Christians communities in countries like Greece, Russia, Turkey, Serbia, Ukraine, Macedonia, and Montenegro to mention just a few of the countries where orthodoxy is prominent. These churches are a testament to the earliest of the evangelists, that included St Paul.

Heavenly Father,
we thank You for the work of Saint Paul
who never stopped spreading the word
about Jesus to those around him,
and proclaiming the coming of Your Kingdom,
despite threats to his life
and periods of imprisonment.
May we learn from his example
to continue spreading the news
of Jesus Christ to those around us..
Amen,