Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Unlike St. Matthias, who knew Jesus from his baptism to his Ascension, St. Paul had not been a disciple of Jesus. In his ignorance, he persecuted The Way until he experienced the kindness and charity of a fearful Ananias, who brought him into the Christian community at Damascus. Barnabas was entrusted with Paul’s initial Christian training, which included missionary work among both Jews and Gentiles. This was to be his life’s work. In the end, both St. Peter and St. James, stalwarts among the apostles, gave St. Paul their full support.
St. Paul is coming to the end of his ministry. A public disturbance arising from his teaching has led to his arrest in Jerusalem. The Roman authorities are listening to both the chief priests and to Paul. The assembled crowd is a mixture of Pharisees (Jews who believe in resurrection from the dead) and Sadducees (Jews who do not believe in resurrection). Knowing that Christian faith relies upon the resurrection of Christ, St. Paul openly states that he is on trial for his hope in the resurrection of the dead.
A Christian missionary must know not only the faith but also the audience. With this statement, St. Paul may not convince the Sadducees of the truth of Jesus, but he may attract a few of the Pharisees and thereby “save at least some” (1 Corinthians 9:22).
Reflection by Br. Jacob Kubajak, OSB
Posted in Article for Easter, Daily Reflections