Acts 24: 27, 25: 13-21; Psalm 103; John 21: 15-19
What must Paul, such a man of action, have suffered in these long years of imprisonment? Felix and Festus play politics and Paul sits, inactive. Agrippa arrives and Paul will have a chance to testify to his conversion to the King, but not in today’s passage. The tribune explains to the king that Paul is being accused of religious disagreements. As we come to the end of the Easter season, Paul and Peter are featured. Peter is asked by Jesus, “Do you love me?” With so much politicking in our church, it is refreshing to hear Jesus give Peter just one task: feed us, nourish us.
How does the church nourish you? How do you think the very active missionary Paul dealt with such an unjust imprisonment? How would you deal with inactivity? Jesus, in the Alleluia verse, promises: “The Holy Spirit will teach you all things, and remind you of all I have said to you.” What has the Spirit taught you? Take your time remembering. Paul had so much time, and how do you suppose he filled it?
Come, Holy Spirit, and teach us, remind us, unite us, feed us. Renew us and renew the face of the earth! Make us instruments of peace, unity, nourishment, love.