Sunday, September 3, 2023

Today’s Scripture Reading
Acts 28:1–16

After we had reached safety, we then learned that the island was called Malta. The natives showed us unusual kindness. Since it had begun to rain and was cold, they kindled a fire and welcomed all of us around it. Paul had gathered a bundle of brushwood and was putting it on the fire, when a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “This man must be a murderer; though he has escaped from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live.” He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. They were expecting him to swell up or drop dead, but after they had waited a long time and saw that nothing unusual had happened to him, they changed their minds and began to say that he was a god. Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. It so happened that the father of Publius lay sick in bed with fever and dysentery. Paul visited him and cured him by praying and putting his hands on him. After this happened, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. They bestowed many honors on us, and when we were about to sail, they put on board all the provisions we needed.

Three months later we set sail on a ship that had wintered at the island, an Alexandrian ship with the Twin Brothers as its figurehead. We put in at Syracuse and stayed there for three days; then we weighed anchor and came to Rhegium. After one day there a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. There we found believers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome. The believers from there, when they heard of us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage. When we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him. (NRSV)

Reflection
Being squeamish about snakes, I cannot “unsee” the image of a snake dangling from Paul’s hand after he picked up a pile of sticks for a fire. Ugh. It’s a powerful image of danger, but it’s only one such image that we get in the story of Paul’s journey to Rome.

Paul is actually under arrest and is being taken to Rome to be tried. He has one guard, Julius, appointed to accompany him on the journey, and he travels on various ships over months and seasons to finally arrive in Rome at the end of today’s reading.

Before today’s portion of the story, Paul and his company live through a terrible storm, are almost killed by others on the ship, simply to prevent him and the other prisoners from escaping. But his guard intervenes, and his life is saved.

The ship they are traveling on crashes, shipwrecked, on the island that turns out to be Malta. Today’s reading begins, “After we had reached safety,” which is no small thing! They have miraculously survived. They are welcomed and hosted on the island. People showed unusual kindness and gave them all the provisions they needed when they continued on their journey.

Paul’s life is saved, again and again. He is even saved from the snake, although the people don’t know how or why he lived after being bitten. They assumed that if God, or some kind of universal justice, would allow him to be bitten by this snake, he must be a murderer. But when he lives, they think he must be a god himself!

Paul saves the life of Publius’s father by praying and laying hands of healing on him. If he were a god himself, he wouldn’t need to pray to God for this healing. All these stories and life-threatening incidents give us a picture of Paul’s relationship with God.

Paul keeps believing. Paul keeps praying. Paul suffers and is frightened. Yet, Paul survives for the next part of his journey. One day he will die. But for now, he keeps healing and serving, and also receiving the kindness and generosity of those whom he encounters. God is working through all those people in Paul’s life.

Prayer
Generous God of steadfast love, help me to keep believing in your presence and to keep turning to you in prayer. Help me to receive kindness and generosity when it is offered. Be with me on my journey — through storms, dangers, trials, and tribulations. Amen.

Written by Nanette Sawyer, Associate Pastor for Congregational Life

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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