Saul persecutes the Church

Stephen, the archdeacon, was a wise man filled with the Holy Spirit, and, as a witness to Christ, he did not hesitate to proclaim him. For this reason Jews conspired against him, and the chief priests agitated the people to turn on him, seize him and bring him to the Temple accusing him of blasphemy. Then, as he prayed for his murderers, they killed him outside the City. The young Saul saw these events and, indeed, was asked to keep watch over the killers' clothes. It was providential that Paul remembers the last words of Stephen which he spoke as did his Master, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” (Acts 7:59) As St Augustin was to remark, ''In gaining Paul, the Church is indebted to the prayer of Stephen.''

With the death of Stephen, the first martyr, a great persecution against the Church begins in Jerusalem, and, all except the Apostles, are put to flight. (Acts 8:1)

At the insistence of the chief priests, Paul began to hunt down the Christians pursuing them from one house to another, from one city to the next. When he realized that all the believers had quit Jerusalem, he determined to follow them and drive them back in chains. "Saul, was still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord." (Acts 9:1)

St Paul says of himself that he knew no limits in persecuting the Christians. "Lord, they themselves know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you. And when the blood of Stephen, your martyr, was shed I was standing by and approving, and looking after the garments of those who killed him." (Acts 22:19-20) Paul set out for Damascus to harass the believers in that City – little did he know that his journey was to change the course of history!

In today's Epistle (1Cor 1:26-2:5) Paul reminds us that God chooses what is weak in the eyes of the world to shame the strong, and because of this, we are given wisdom, righteousness and holiness. In all things we should boast only of the Lord. Thus, we do not rely on our own knowledge, eloquence or ability but rather our preaching should be centred on the Cross in which is our strength.

Issam John Darwish BSO, DD

Eparch

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