FRIDAY AFTER CREATION 5
11 October 2013
Readings:
Key Verses (using the World English Bible):
Acts 24:25: “As [Paul] reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, ‘Go your way for this time, and when it is convenient for me, I will summon you.’”
Matt. 23:12: “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
Reflection
Readers of the New Testament have often noted the parallels between the Gospels and the Book of Acts. In the Gospels, Jesus delivers the words of his Father, preaching a baptism of repentance and the forgiveness. Some receive the word, but those who do not, begin to persecute the believers. Jesus is arrested, is tried several times, before both Judeans and Romans, and is subsequently executed.
In the Book of Acts, Jesus’ followers, with the Holy Spirit’s help, deliver Jesus’ words, baptizing and forgiving sins in Jesus’ name. Again, some receive the word, but those who do not, begin to persecute the emerging church. Paul, the prominent evangelist in this book, is subsequently arrested and tried several times before the Sanhedrin and the Roman court. And, though not recorded in Acts, tradition holds that Paul was beheaded under Emperor Nero’s reign.
Paul is tried before Felix, governor of Judea, similar to how Jesus is tried before Pontius Pilate, prefect of Judea. Paul emphasizes two things: he hasn’t committed any crime, nor can his accusers prove their allegations. Felix opts to adjourn and sees to Paul’s needs while under guard. But when Paul begins to preach to Felix about “righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come”, Felix feels a spark of fear and silences Paul. Felix was known for his cruelty, lust (he was on his third marriage by this point), and tyrannical rule. Paul’s words hit a nerve; but Felix did not receive the word—it wasn’t a “convenient” time for him. He preferred to receive a bribe.
Pontius Pilate was hardly the innocent bystander who happened to be in charge, as the Gospels and later generations might have it. At best, Pilate agreed that Jesus, like Paul, was guiltless of any crime, and that his accusers could prove nothing. At worst, Pilate could not care less what Jews did to Jews, and just wanted to be rid of the matter. But when, according to John’s Gospel, Jesus preaches to him about the truth, Pilate seems to feel a spark of introspection. “What is truth?” he asks with a tone that has been lost to time. Jesus’ testimony hit a nerve, but Pilate, like Felix, does not receive the word. He stands back and allows Jesus to be executed.
“Absolute power corrupts absolutely”, and certainly a position of governor or prefect was the closest any ancient Roman would come to this kind of power. And it’s precisely this kind of power that the gospel attacks—the kind of power that allows those in charge to remain apathetic and silent while their fellow human beings are abused and oppressed; the kind of power that keeps the mighty from humbling themselves down from their positions of worldly exaltation. The Word could not care less about convenience; its main concern is “righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come.” And that’s also its promise.
Prayer of the Day
Holy God,
you challenge the powers that rule this world
and show favor to the oppressed.
Instill in us a true sense of justice,
that we may discern the signs of your kingdom,
and strive for right to prevail;
for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
—from the Collect for the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, in the Book of Common Worship of the Presbyterian Church PC(USA).
Hymn: “Before your throne, O God, we kneel”
(Words: William Boyd Carpenter, 1841-1918, adapted by Joseph A. Soltero, 2013
Tune: ‘St. Petersburg’, Dimitri S. Bortniansky, 1751-1825)
Before your throne, O God, we kneel.
Give us a conscience quick to feel,
A ready mind to understand
The meaning of your chastening hand.
Whatever pain or shame or tear,
To you, O Father, bring us near.
Search out our hearts and make us true.
Help us to give to all their due.
From love of pleasure, lust of gold,
From sins which make the heart grow cold,
Wean us and train us with your rod.
Teach us to know our faults, O God.
For sins of heedless word and deed;
For pride ambitious to succeed;
For crafty trade and subtle snare
To catch the simple unaware;
For lives bereft of purpose high,
Forgive, forgive, O Lord, we cry!
Let cleansing fires which burn and try
Our inmost spirits purify.
Consume the ill, purge out the shame,
And, God, be with us in the flame.
A newborn people may we rise,
More pure, more true, more nobly wise.
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