September 19, 2014
Paul before King Agrippa
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles 25, 13 – 27:
When a few days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived in Caesarea on a visit to Festus. Since they spent several days there, Festus referred Paul’s case to the king, saying, “There is a man here left in custody by Felix. When I was in Jerusalem the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges against him and demanded his condemnation. I answered them that it was not Roman practice to hand over an accused person before he has faced his accusers and had the opportunity to defend himself against their charge.
So when they came together here, I made no delay; the next day I took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought in. His accusers stood around him, but did not charge him with any of the crimes I suspected. Instead they had some issues with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus who had died but who Paul claimed was alive. Since I was at a loss how to investigate this controversy, I asked if he were willing to go to Jerusalem and there stand trial on these charges. And when Paul appealed that he be held in custody for the Emperor’s decision, I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar.” Agrippa said to Festus, “I too should like to hear this man.” He replied, “Tomorrow you will hear him.”
The next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great ceremony and entered the audience hall in the company of cohort commanders and the prominent men of the city and, by command of Festus, Paul was brought in. And Festus said, “King Agrippa and all you here present with us, look at this man about whom, the whole Jewish populace petitioned me here and in Jerusalem, clamoring that he should live no longer. I found, however, that he had done nothing deserving death, and so when he appealed to the Emperor, I decided to send him. But I have nothing definite to write about him to our sovereign, therefore I have brought him before all of you, and particularly before you, King Agrippa, so that I may have something to write as a result of this investigation. For it seems senseless to me to send up a prisoner without indicating the charges against him.”
I go to a Charismatic Prayer meeting at our parish every Wednesday evening. So last evening I was there and we prayed for a full hour. I spoke to the people about trusting in the Lord. So many people are depressed today and others seem lost and do not know where to turn, so I called on them to place Jesus as the centre of their lives and to let Him lead them. He is Our Savior and He knows what path we are to follow. Let us ask Him to strengthen our faith and love for Him.
Below you will find the message of Our Lord and Savior given to Father Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words,
“I bless you My brother Melvin and all My brothers and sisters who walk with Me every day. Do not follow the ways of the world because what the world teaches us does not come form Me. One who followed Me every day of his life after his conversion is Saint Paul. Although he did not do anything wrong he was accused by the Jews of all kinds of falsehood and they wanted to kill him. So the Roman soldiers arrested him and put him in prison in Jerusalem. After sometime he was sent to Caesarea and while he was there the Jews came and accused him of many things but they had no proof. They wanted him to return to Jerusalem but Paul asked to be tried by the Emperor in Rome and so the Governor agreed and kept him in prison until he would have a chance to send him to Rome. However, King Agrippa came to visit Caesarea and Festus told him about Saint Paul. So the King wanted to listen to him. Tomorrow you will hear what Saint Paul said before the King.
Do not be afraid My friends as I am always with you to help you. I love you all.”
Father Melvin
P.S. We had a beautiful sunny day today.