Sunday’s first reading from Acts shows how fear can threaten the branching life of the vine. Out of fear, disciples are slow to accept Paul. His reputation precedes him.
The Christians in Jerusalem know Paul only as one who persecuted them. They can’t believe he has really changed. Barnabas alone befriends Paul, explains how Paul saw and conversed with the Lord on the road, and reports that he has been speaking out fearlessly in the name of Jesus in Damascus.
As Paul begins to speak out in Jerusalem in Jesus’ name, Greek-speaking Jews seek to kill him. The persecutor becomes the persecuted. The deepest questions are at issue: Who is your God? Is Jesus God?
As believers send Paul home to Tarsus, Luke reports on the state of the vine. The churches are growing in Judea, the land around Jerusalem where Jesus had been put to death; in Galilee, Jesus’ home region where some cast him out; and in Samaria, whose religious tradition formerly kept them apart from Jews.
Paul went on from Tarsus to travel the Mediterranean world by boat and by foot, speaking boldly of Jesus in the big cities of his day. He founded and pastored Christian communities where he went. Educated as a Jewish rabbi, Paul skillfully engaged his audiences in theological debates and wrote letters that have enriched and challenged Christian communities ever since.
The Holy Spirit that animates the early Christian communities prompts us into speaking out and acting today. Christians respond to new needs such as advocating for better immigrant legislation, helping people trafficked as sex workers or sweatshop workers to freedom and fruitful life. Paul’s story reminds us persecutors can become believers and advocates.
Paul speaks boldly in Jesus’ name.
When he had come to Jerusalem, Paul attempted to join the disciples; and they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, brought him to the apostles, and described for them how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus.
So Paul went in and out among them in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. He spoke and argued with the Hellenists, but they were attempting to kill him. When the believers learned of it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.
Meanwhile the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and was built up. Living in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.
Acts 9.26-31
- In what ways do people’s reputations, experiences, or others’ reports about them keep us from receiving and welcoming them as Jesus would?
- Whose speech do you hear boldly upbuilding the Church today?