connecting with his audience

Good morning all,
Today the Jewish Council assembles to bring their charges against Paul. Paul seeks to be both forthright and deferential here. He also thinks strategically about how to win over the council. He notices that there are both Pharisees and Sadducees on the council so he takes advantage of that division. Since he grew up as a Pharisee, Paul naturally relates Christian faith to his Jewish faith and points out the continuities. He tells the council that he's on trial is for his belief in the resurrection of the dead. This statement is meant for the Pharisees, who also believe in the resurrection. If he can convince them that Christian teaching fits within that framework he may overcome the opposition and may bring in some new believers. We also see God encourage Paul to keep his strength up because his job as a witness for Christ isn't over yet.

Our second reading from Revelation gives us a glimpse of the conclusion of history. The heavenly city comes down to earth for us to live in with God. One day God will put an end to death. God will wipe away every tear from every eye; pain and hardship and oppression will be no more. God gave early Christians who faced increasing oppression for their faith this vision of how God's covenant promises will one day be fulfilled to help them maintain their courage. The same vision and the knowledge that God is the Alfa and Omega, the beginning and the end, sustains us in hope when times are hard. One day God will make all things right; until then we pray and work for a better world.

God bless,
Sam

Acts 23:1-11
1While Paul was looking intently at the council he said, “Brothers, up to this day I have lived my life with a clear conscience before God.” 2Then the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near him to strike him on the mouth. 3At this Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting there to judge me according to the law, and yet in violation of the law you order me to be struck?” 4Those standing nearby said, “Do you dare to insult God’s high priest?” 5And Paul said, “I did not realize, brothers, that he was high priest; for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a leader of your people.’”

6When Paul noticed that some were Sadducees and others were Pharisees, he called out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. I am on trial concerning the hope of the resurrection of the dead.” 7When he said this, a dissension began between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8(The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, or angel, or spirit; but the Pharisees acknowledge all three.) 9Then a great clamor arose, and certain scribes of the Pharisees’ group stood up and contended, “We find nothing wrong with this man. What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?” 10When the dissension became violent, the tribune, fearing that they would tear Paul to pieces, ordered the soldiers to go down, take him by force, and bring him into the barracks. 11That night the Lord stood near him and said, “Keep up your courage! For just as you have testified for me in Jerusalem, so you must bear witness also in Rome.”

Revelation 21:1-6
1Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them as their God; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; 4he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away."
5And the one who was seated on the throne said, "See, I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true." 6Then he said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life."