O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripture Reading of the Day, Acts 21: 1-14
1 When we had parted from them and set sail, we came by a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. 2 When we found a ship bound for Phoenicia, we went on board and set sail. 3 We came in sight of Cyprus; and leaving it on our left, we sailed to Syria and landed at Tyre, because the ship was to unload its cargo there. 4 We looked up the disciples and stayed there for seven days. Through the Spirit they told Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. 5 When our days there were ended, we left and proceeded on our journey; and all of them, with wives and children, escorted us outside the city. There we knelt down on the beach and prayed 6 and said farewell to one another. Then we went on board the ship, and they returned home. 7 When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais; and we greeted the believers and stayed with them for one day.
8 The next day we left and came to Caesarea; and we went into the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the seven, and stayed with him. 9 He had four unmarried daughters who had the gift of prophecy. 10 While we were staying there for several days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 He came to us and took Paul's belt, bound his own feet and hands with it, and said, "Thus says the Holy Spirit, "This is the way the Jews in Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.' " 12 When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." 14 Since he would not be persuaded, we remained silent except to say, "The Lord's will be done."
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As Paul and his companions continued their journey to Jerusalem from Ephesus by sea, the ship they were aboard stopped along the way to pick up and deliver goods. At each spot Paul and his party were able to contact the Christian communities and find food and lodging with them. However, on several occasions Paul was warned by individuals that the Spirit had told them Paul should not go to Jerusalem because he would be bound, imprisoned and perhaps killed. Paul continued on, despite even the prophecy of Agabus in Judea. Paul had been told by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem; now the Spirit seemed to have changed its mind. What gives?
This account reminds me of a funny story I heard years ago: A preacher was visiting in a neighborhood, house to house, when he became hungry. At the next house the preacher said to the man who came to the door, “The Lord has revealed to me that I am to dine with you today.” The neighbor smiled and invited the preacher to sit down. Both sat on the porch, rocking and talking. Finally the preacher inquired, “When will lunch be served?” “As soon as the Lord reveals it to me” was the reply.
So, we may believe that the Holy Spirit is leading us to do something when it may not be the Holy Spirit, but our own fears, desires or prejudices that are actually speaking. This is why, in the Episcopal faith, as well as many others, discernment of God’s will takes more than our own intuition can deliver. When I was first considering going into the ministry, the process began with a very clear call to be a deacon, yet I was required to have a committee of my fellow church members, a thorough introduction to what the deaconate would require, four years of study and the approval of my priest, my bishop and the successful completion of several psychological and physical exams. Now if we were all as clearly in touch with the Holy Spirit as Paul was, this might not be necessary!
But the lesson of my experience and that of the account in Acts, is: are we?
This account reminds me of a funny story I heard years ago: A preacher was visiting in a neighborhood, house to house, when he became hungry. At the next house the preacher said to the man who came to the door, “The Lord has revealed to me that I am to dine with you today.” The neighbor smiled and invited the preacher to sit down. Both sat on the porch, rocking and talking. Finally the preacher inquired, “When will lunch be served?” “As soon as the Lord reveals it to me” was the reply.
So, we may believe that the Holy Spirit is leading us to do something when it may not be the Holy Spirit, but our own fears, desires or prejudices that are actually speaking. This is why, in the Episcopal faith, as well as many others, discernment of God’s will takes more than our own intuition can deliver. When I was first considering going into the ministry, the process began with a very clear call to be a deacon, yet I was required to have a committee of my fellow church members, a thorough introduction to what the deaconate would require, four years of study and the approval of my priest, my bishop and the successful completion of several psychological and physical exams. Now if we were all as clearly in touch with the Holy Spirit as Paul was, this might not be necessary!
But the lesson of my experience and that of the account in Acts, is: are we?
Deacon Doug Freebern
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