Those Annoying Details
It is not surprising that Paul’s actions could bring him trouble. He was proclaiming a religion and way of life that was counter to his times. What is a bit surprising is how he handled the situation with the slave girl who had the gift of divination. A gift, if we are to believe Luke, was because she was possessed by a spirit. We also note that she was a slave, had more than one owner, and she brought them money because of her ability that the spirit who possessed her gave her. It seems that Paul ignored this whole situation until the girl’s proclamations annoyed him. He did not act because she was lying or speaking blasphemy. She was proclaiming the truth. Was Paul embarrassed? Did he not want others to know? Was he afraid? Why did he not free the girl from her spirit the first time he met her? Although I do not doubt that the girl’s life became more difficult after Paul healed her of the spirit’s possession. Since she could no longer fortune-tell she most likely ended up having to do physical work. These questions cannot be answered with any certainty because we never hear Paul’s side of the story. Although, with a great chance of being wrong, we can speculate about Paul’s nature.
For Luke this is just setting the stage. He is not concerned with any of our questions. His emphasis is what happened after Paul and his companions were imprisoned – the conversion and baptism of the jailer and his family. In this part of the story we see the other side of Paul. Here his missionary zeal, his courage, and his concern for others (he did not wish to have the jailer harm himself or be harmed) become apparent. From being someone who showed aggravation, impatience, and anger over little things, acting on impulse, and not considering the consequences of his action he can also be compassionate and kind. In a nut-shell, we see a person just like ourselves.
It is a wonder that God decided to use Paul as an Apostle to spread the good news of Jesus. Perhaps someone more patient, slower to anger, and thoughtful would have been a better choice. But God chose Paul, and others, not because they were perfect but because they happened to be the ones who were present at the time and in the place someone was needed. God used them despite their faults and foibles. That is the point. God calls broken human beings into the church, equips them with love, and sends them into the world to proclaim Jesus’ salvation to all the world.
You also are God’s chosen. Chosen not because you are perfect but because you are present here and now. You are called to carry on the tradition of the church – the proclamation of God’s love and salvation to the world. And, just like Paul, sometimes you answer God’s call; sometimes you answer the world’s call. We never know when that time comes when God will call us to proclaim the love and salvation given by Jesus. We do need to prepare ourselves for that time. We do that by reading the scriptures and praying. I urge you to spend a little time each day reading and praying so that when the time comes you will act out of love, courage, and compassion and spread God’s love to a world that is in great need of it.
Christ is risen! Alleluia!