PAUL RETURNS TO JERUSALEM

PAUL RETURNS TO JERUSALEM

Sacred Scripture

Acts 21:17-26:32 John 21:15-19

Catechism of the Catholic Church

#2471-2474

PARENTS’ & CATECHISTS’ READING REFLECTION & PRAYER

The Jewish crowd as an expression of their anger cast off their outer cloaks and threw dust into the air. Paul was guarded by Roman soldiers so that the crowd could not injure him; and their only way of expressing their anger was by gestures and shouted threats. We can find other examples of people throwing dust in the Bible: Shimei expressed

his anger against David by “cursing him, throwing stones and dirt as he went.” 2 Samuel 16:13

The King of Judah

pulverized all the idols and altars to false gods and “threw the dust in the Kidron Valley.” 2 Kings 23:12

Even today we use dust when taunting our opponents when we “dust them in a sports event” or tell them to “eat our dust”.

“THEY WERE FLINGING DUST INTO THE AIR.” ACTS 22:23

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When Paul was taken prisoner by Roman soldiers in Jerusalem, he asked to speak to the Jewish crowd.

(Acts 21:37-40)

HEART OF CATECHESIS

OUR CATHOLIC CHURCH--THE MYSTICAL BODY OF CHRIST LESSON 15

Sacred Scripture Grades K-1 The Illustrated Acts of the Apostles pp. 44-45

Grades 2-4 Bible for Young Catholics pp. 296-297 Grades 5-12 Acts 21:17-26:32 John 21:15-19

Catechism Grades K-2 First Communion Catechism pp. n/a

Grades 3-6 Baltimore Catechism #1 pp. n/a

Grades 7-12 Catechism of the Catholic Church #2471-2474

STUDENTS’ READING REFLECTION & PRAYER

TEACHING STRATEGY & OBJECTIVES

THEME:

PAUL’S MISSION BEGINS EVEN MORE CLOSELY TO RESEMBLE JESUS’ OWN; WITH PERSECUTION, ARREST, AND TRIAL BEFORE ROMAN AUTHORITIES. BUT THIS IS JESUS CHRIST’S PLAN FOR HIM…

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OPENING PRAYER

TERMS IN THIS LESSON RESURRECTION: JESUS CHRIST WAS “CRUCIFIED UNDER PONTIUS PILATE, SUFFERED DEATH AND WAS BURIED, AND ROSE AGAIN ON THE THIRD DAY,” HIS BODY AND SOUL UNITED FOREVER IN A GLORIFIED STATE HOLY EUCHARIST: THE SACRAMENT GIVEN TO US BY JESUS CHRIST AT THE LAST SUPPER AND AT MASS IN HOLY COMMUNION, THE BREAD OF LIFE IS REALLY AND TRULY JESUS’ BODY, BLOOD, SOUL, AND DIVINITY

YOUR CHOICE


PAUL RETURNS TO JERUSALEM ACTS 21:17—26:32

CATECHISTS… AGAIN WE HAVE A SIGNIFICANT BLOCK OF TEXT… NEARLY 5 CHAPTERS. INTERESTING READING FOR US—BUT IT WOULD NOT BE SUITABLY USED FOR OUR STUDENTS DURING A SINGLE CLASS TIME.

ALSO MUCH OF IT IS LEGAL/POLITICAL MANEUVERING AMONG THE FACTIONS INVOLVED…NOT OF MUCH INTEREST FOR A YOUNGER AUDIENCE.

WE SUGGEST YOU FOCUS ON PAUL’S INITIAL EXPERIENCES WHICH LEAD TO HIS IMPRISONMENT, AND BRIEFLY DESCRIBE THE SUBSEQUENT CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH LED TO HIS BEING SENT TO ROME.

CHAPTER 21:15-40

WHERE AND WHEN DO WE FIND PAUL AT THE OPENING OF THIS SECTION?

At the end of our last class session we saw Paul heading relentlessly towards his fate, as he tells the Elders of Ephesus,

“Behold, I am going to Jerusalem, bound in the Spirit, not knowing what shall befall me there; except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflic-tions await me. But I do not account my life of any value, nor as precious to myself, if only I may accomplish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the Gospel of the Grace of God” [ACTS 20:22—24].

This week we see Paul in Jerusalem, in the late Spring of the year 58 AD near the feast of Pentecost. CATECHISTS YOU MAY NOTE THAT THE “WE” PASSAGES PICK UP AGAIN (FROM ITS FIRST APPEARANCE IN 16:10) INDICATING THAT LUKE IS WITH PAUL. WHO MEETS WITH PAUL AND GIVES HIM ADVICE ON HOW TO WIN OVER THE JEWS OF JERUSALEM?

Paul Meets with James and the Elders. Remember James is a distant cousin of Jesus Christ Himself, one of the 12 Apostles, and is the Bishop of Jerusalem. James and his associates would be considered by many to be of a “conservative” group within Christianity . Many of James’ constituents would have tended to think that men who become Christians should first be subject to the Jewish Law.

James tries to help Paul effectively to minister in Jerusalem without upsetting the conservative faction. He counsels Paul to publicly support and subsidize a number of Jews who are fulfilling a special “Nazarite” vow and who are making certain sacrifices. James believes this will placate those opposed to Paul.

CHAPTER 22:1-21

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN PAUL GOES INTO THE TEMPLE?

James’ plan backfires and Paul’s enemies stir up an angry crowd until it be-comes a murderous mob. The Roman army needs to step in to stop the riot. They put Paul in chains, but they save his life. WHAT STORY DOES PAUL TELL IN HIS DEFENSE?

We hear again [for the second time] an account of Paul’s encounter with Jesus Christ on the Road to Damascus—this time in Paul’s own words. It is repeated, with even greater detail, in Chapter 26:12-23. CATECHISTS: READING THROUGH THESE VERSES MIGHT BE A GREAT REVIEW OF OUR PREVIOUS LESSONS ON PAUL.

When Paul was taken prisoner by Roman soldiers in Jerusalem, he asked to speak to the Jewish crowd (Acts 21:37--22:23).

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DOES PAUL’S DEFENSE HAVE A POSITIVE EFFECT ON THE CROWD?

It was quite reasonable for Paul to tell the story of his conversion, since he himself [like the crowd to whom he speaks] was persecuting the followers of the Way. Judging from the text, the crowd appears to be listening to his story… until Paul mentions that he was sent “to the Gentiles.” Remember, at this time in history many of the Jews despised the Gentiles [as a matter of fact, if a Gentile were to enter the Court of the Jews in the Temple, they risked the death pen-alty]. As soon as Paul mentions his mission to the Gentiles, the mob is stirred into a frenzy, “they lifted up their voices and said, ‘Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he ought not to live’…they cried out and waved their garments and threw dust into the air” [ACTS 22:22—23]. WHAT HAPPENS BETWEEN PAUL AND THE TRIBUNE?

In order to keep the peace, the Tribune [a commander of a troop of 600 Roman soldiers] arrests Paul and orders him to be interrogated and scourged.

One of the greatest weaknesses of the Roman Empire is that they did not respect the Dignity of the Human Person—our belief that all men are created equal, [In God’s Image and Likeness!] and that they are endowed with certain inal-ienable rights… including the Right to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. The Romans built and maintained their empire relying on the institution of slavery. The sweat and blood of millions of slaves allowed many Romans to enjoy lives of leisure and selfish pleasure-seeking. Those who were not Roman Citizens had no rights… and could be used and abused as the Romans pleased. Recall how Pilate unjustly condemned Jesus to death… and how the Roman soldiers forced Simon the Cyrenian to carry Jesus’ Cross for Him.

In this story with Paul, the Tribune doesn’t want to waste time. He wants the facts quickly, and is willing to torture Paul by scourging him…before he even knows what Paul is being charged with, let alone if he is innocent or guilty. HOW DOES PAUL STOP THE TRIBUNE FROM SCOURGING HIM?

Paul, because he was born in Tarsus, was a Roman Citizen. [You may recall a similar situation in Philippi related in Acts 16:35]. While they are tying Paul to the whipping post, Paul stops the proceedings short when he addresses the Centurion who is to preside over the scourging, “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman Citizen and uncondemned?” [22:25]. The Tribune calls the proceed-ings to a halt. WHY DOES PAUL STOP THE SCOURGING?

Paul was not afraid to face hardship or pain. Think back to a previous stoning (Acts 14:19) and imprisonment. It was certainly God’s plan that Paul play a strong hand in this incident to show that he was not to be trifled with. This is made clear to the Tribune that as a Roman citizen Paul had certain rights and was entitled to special treatment. One of these rights was to appeal to Caesar—also a part of God’s plan. WHAT HAPPENS TO PAUL THE NEXT DAY?

The Tribune brings Paul before the Sanhedrin so that he can defend himself before his accusers.

CHAPTER 23

HOW DOES PAUL DEFEND HIMSELF AGAINST THE HIGH PRIEST ANANIAS’ ATTACK ON HIM?

Ananias [not to be confused with the High Priest Annas who condemned Jesus 25 years earlier] ordered one of his followers to strike Paul on the mouth. As with Jesus during His Trial before Annas, striking a Jew with a blow in the face in a situation like this signified “excommunication” or exclusion from the Chosen People. We see Paul’s temper flare here and he verbally lashes out against this violation of the Law [LEV 19:15 & DT 25:1-2].

We can’t help but to remember Jesus receiving similar treatment while He stood before Annas. But Paul will have none of it, boldly pointing out that he has rights and protection under the Jewish Law. He angrily addresses the pompous prelate, “God shall strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?” We also see that we are not meant to take Jesus’ directive to “TURN THE OTHER CHEEK” literally in every circumstance. Sometimes we must stand up for our rights… and for the rights of others. God will help us to know when and how.

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WHAT STRATEGY DOES PAUL USE TO SAVE HIMSELF FROM THE PHARISEES AND THE SADDUCEES?

Perhaps Paul remembers Jesus’ advice; “YOU MUST BE AS CLEVER AS SERPENTS AND AS INNOCENT AS DOVES” [MT 10:16]. Paul knows that his best defense is to trick his opponents into attacking each other. As a good Pharisee, Paul knows the points of disagreement between the Pharisees and the Sadducees on the council, so he immediately says that he is on trial because of his hope in the RESURRECTION

RESURRECTION: JESUS CHRIST WAS “CRUCIFIED UNDER PONTIUS PILATE, SUFFERED DEATH AND WAS BURIED, AND ROSE AGAIN ON THE THIRD DAY,” HIS BODY AND SOUL UNITED FOREVER IN A GLORIFIED STATE.

The courtroom immediately erupts as the Pharisees and the Sadducees begin to argue with each other. The Phari-sees take Paul’s side, since they believe in bodily resurrection. The situation grows more and more intense, and once again Paul finds himself in the center of a cyclone of violence and abuse. The Tribune is forced to rescue him from the fray. WHO LATER APPEARS TO PAUL TO ENCOURAGE HIM?

After the excitement of the day, in the darkness of Paul’s prison cell, Jesus appears to Paul again and says, “TAKE COURAGE, FOR AS YOU HAVE TESTIFIED ABOUT ME AT JERUSALEM, SO YOU MUST BEAR WITNESS ALSO AT ROME” [23:11]. HOW DO HIS ENEMIES PLAN TO DEAL WITH PAUL?

More than 40 men swear an oath that they will not eat or drink until they have killed Paul. HOW DO THE ROMANS PROTECT PAUL?

The Tribune sends Paul away to Caesarea with a troop of 470; 200 Infantrymen, 70 Calvarymen, and 200 Spearmen.

CHAPTERS 24-26

WHO ARE SOME OF THE NOTABLE PEOPLE WHO PAUL ENCOUNTERS IN CAESAREA?

Paul is arrested by the Tribune Claudius Lysias in Jerusalem in the year 58 AD. Shortly thereafter Paul is moved to Caesarea on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. In this new location, Paul is under the jurisdiction of Felix the Procurator/Governor of Palestine [like Pontius Pilate before him].

Paul spends the next two years under house arrest in Caesarea. Although Felix does not think that Paul is guilty of breaking any Roman laws, he holds Paul in custody, to do a favor for Paul’s enemies [and also hoping to collect a substantial bribe from Paul for his release].

Festus succeeds Felix as Governor, and attempts, unsuccessfully to resolve the situation with Paul. During this time Festus summons Paul to speak before Herod Agrippa II [a descendant of the Herod of Jesus’ time] and his consort Berenice. Paul speaks as persuasively as he can before these notable rulers, and even retells the story of his conversion. But they are not receptive to Paul’s preaching. HOW IS IT THAT THE DECISION IS MADE TO SEND PAUL TO ROME?

While Festus is trying to resolve the Problem of Paul, he proposes that the Apostle accompany his accusers up to Jerusalem to be tried. Sensing the danger of such a maneuver, Paul invokes his rights as a citizen of Rome…

“I am standing before Caesar’s tribunal, where I ought to be tried; to the Jews I have done no wrong, as you know very well. If then I am a wrongdoer, and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death; but if there is nothing in their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar” [25:10—11].

Festus responds, “You have appealed to Caesar; to Caesar you shall go” [25:12]. And so Paul’s course is set, and God’s Providential plan speeds him on his way to the Capitol of the Empire… the Greatest city in the world…Rome.

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“DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME” MOMENTS FROM THE LIFE OF JESUS CHRIST

JOHN 21:15—19

JESUS PREDICTS PETER’S MARTYRDOM

CATECHISTS…OUR LORD’S APPEARANCE TO PAUL IN HIS JAIL CELL [23:11] IS REMINISCENT OF A SIMI-LAR APPEARANCE OF OUR RISEN LORD TO ST. PETER BY THE SEA OF TIBERIAS [GALILEE]. WE LOOKED AT THIS SAME PASSAGE FROM JOHN’S GOSPEL EARLIER THIS YEAR, BUT FOCUSED ON JESUS’ THREEFOLD AFFIRMATION OF PETER’S AUTHORITY. READ THROUGH THE STORY WITH YOUR CLASS AGAIN…BUT THIS TIME FOCUS ON THE VERSES 18—19...JESUS’ PREDICTION OF PETER’S MARTYRDOM AND DEATH. IN VERSE 21:18 JESUS SAYS, “AMEN, AMEN…” WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? The word “Amen” by itself can mean, “Yes!” or “I Believe!” We use it at the end of our prayers, or when we are about to receive the HOLY EUCHARIST: HOLY EUCHARIST: THE SACRAMENT GIVEN TO US BY JESUS CHRIST AT THE LAST SUPPER AND AT MASS IN HOLY COMMUNION, THE BREAD OF LIFE IS REALLY AND TRULY JESUS’ BODY, BLOOD, SOUL, AND DIVINITY Jesus is the only person in Sacred Scripture to repeat “Amen” … or say it twice in succession. When “Amen” is used in this way, it takes on the solemnity of an oath—a very powerful statement in a most serious matter.

Other places where Jesus invokes the power of this word…

“AMEN AMEN I TELL YOU…YOU SHALL SEE THE HEAVENS OPENED AND THE ANGELS OF GOD ASCENDING AND DESCENDING ON THE SON OF MAN” [JN 1:51].

“AMEN AMEN I TELL YOU, UNLESS A MAN IS BORN OF WATER AND SPIRIT HE CANNOT ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD” [JN 3:5]. and

“AMEN AMEN I SAY UNTO YOU, UNLESS YOU EAT THE FLESH OF THE SON OF MAN, AND DRINK HIS BLOOD, YOU WILL NOT HAVE LIFE IN YOU” [JN 6:53].

IN OUR BIBLES, VERSE 21:18a, THE WORDS OF JESUS ARE RENDERED… “WHEN YOU WERE YOUNGER. YOU USED TO DRESS YOURSELF AND GO WHERE YOU WANTED.” THIS TEXT IS POORLY TRANSLATED! WHAT JESUS TRULY SAID TO PETER IS, “AS A YOUNG MAN YOU FASTENED YOUR BELT AND WENT ABOUT AS YOU PLEASED;” WHAT DO JESUS’ WORDS TO PETER MEAN?

Before He met our Lord in Judea near Bethany Beyond the Jordan, Simon the fisherman was master of his destiny [or so he thought!] But after Jesus said to him that first time, “FOLLOW ME,” Simon was no longer “in charge”… he could no longer live his life for himself. The Fisherman had been “caught” and would one day become a Fisher of Men.

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JESUS CONTINUES WITH HIS PROPHECY TO PETER, [VERSE 21:18b IN THE BIBLES WE ARE USING]… “BUT WHEN YOU GROW OLD, YOU WILL STRETCH OUT YOUR HANDS, AND SOMEONE ELSE WILL DRESS YOU AND LEAD YOU WHERE YOU DO NOT WANT TO GO.” AGAIN, THESE WORDS ARE MORE ACCURATELY RENDERED, “BUT WHEN YOU ARE OLDER YOU WILL STRETCH OUT YOUR HANDS AND ANOTHER WILL TIE YOU FAST AND CARRY YOU OFF AGAINST YOUR WILL.” WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

Men in biblical times did not usually wear leather belts like ours with holes and buckles; they wore a rope belt or a “cincture” [like the one a priest wears when he is vested for Mass].

[Do you remember our lesson last week when the prophet Agabus took Paul’s rope belt and tied up his own hands and feet to prophesy what would happen to Paul in Jerusalem? (Acts 21:10—11)].

An old man with arthritis would often not be able to tie his own belt, so he would hold his arms straight out to his sides, [in the form of a cross] and another person would fasten the rope about his waist. Jesus is telling Peter that one day he will hold out his arms in a similar manner, his hands will be tied fast, and he will be led away against his will. HOW DOES JOHN EXPLAIN IN VERSE 19 WHAT PETER’S DESTINY WILL BE?

In verse 19 John writes, “What He said indicated the sort of death by which Peter was to glorify God.” When Jesus first spoke these words there is a good chance that neither Peter nor John fully understood their significance. It is obvious that Peter had a certain sense of their meaning and did not like them one bit [see verses 21: 21—23].

When John wrote his Gospel, probably around the year 95 AD, Peter had been dead for about 30 years. John knew that Peter’s last and greatest act of MARTYRDOM [“witness”] was to stretch out his arms so that he could be nailed to a cross and crucified, upside down, on the Vatican Hill in Rome, around the year 67 AD. At about the same time across the city and just outside of the walls, Paul would be beheaded as he fulfilled Jesus’ promise that one day he would...

“BEAR WITNESS IN ROME” [23:11].

The Crucifixion of St. Peter Michelangelo Merisi Caravaggio, 1600 Rome

The Martyrdom of St. Paul Mattia Preti, 1656 Houston Gallery of Fine Art

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PAUL RETURNS TO JERUSALEM