28 Look Homeward Angel: REFLECTION, Wednesday, May 27th

Paul’s concern for the unpersuaded is an existential theme in all of his personal letters, played down by Luke in the Book of Acts, because the Book of Acts was not written by Paul, but by the author we call Luke, and which was written for Luke’s own purpose. Luke was writing to his lover-of-god, Theophilus, (a particular person perhaps, or a metaphor representing all who yearn and love God, though they do not know the Good News of Jesus) to persuade him/them of the Christian gospel. Luke seems to have wanted to suppress the sharp tension which existed between Paul and the leadership of the Church in Jerusalem; dead-set on remaining a sect of Judaism.

The ascendency in Jerusalem of James and the other three birth-brothers of Jesus (Joseph, Judas and Simon…Mark 6:3) may have been one source of irritation for Paul. These brothers had not enjoyed happy relations with Jesus during his lifetime (John 7:5), trying to “take him into custody” (Mark 3:21) at one point. Jesus’ relations with all his family, including his mother (Mark 3: 33 – 35, Luke 11: 27 – 28, John 2: 4) had often been chilly. James and Paul are not great pals; they are at enmity, however much their Christian commitment to mutual care impelled them to strive for better relations.

What Luke mentions not-at-all in the Book of Acts, but which Paul refers to repeatedly in his own Epistles, is his relentless drive to gather a great collection from among the Gentile Churches for the still Jewish brethren/church in Jerusalem. Paul appears to have succeeded. He appears to have raised more money than came to the Temple in Jerusalem from annual collections among Diaspora Jews.

Paul may have thought this would prove his bonafides. He may have thought this would reassure the traditionalists regarding the continuity of his mission and theirs. He may have wanted to force a show-down between his vision and a vision wedded to Jewish Law and practice. Arriving with a contingent of uncircumcised Gentiles to present this enormous financial gift to the Jerusalem brothers placed James in an embarrassing and untenable situation. “The great number of uncircumcised Gentile believers bringing the collection was bound to exacerbate the difficulties, tensions and risks for James. The unconditional acceptance of the collection would have constituted a highly compromising step in the eyes of the local Jewish congregation.” (‘Remembering the Poor: The History of Paul’s Collection for Jerusalem’ Dieter Georgi, Abingdon Press, page 125).

Keep this in mind as you read chapter 21 of the Book of Acts and see if it proves illuminative of goings-on which otherwise do not seem to apply much to our personal 21st Century lives. But rivalries, jealousies, over-much affection for and desire to change circumstances constituting a past from which we have become untethered…these things remain in play for many of us.

Paul tries to placate James. He takes a Nazarite vow, pays for ritual purifications for those in the right social clique, perhaps grovels a bit. Christian prophets in route had warned him in Tyre. He stayed in Caesarea with Philip, who had four unmarried daughters with the gift of prophecy. That must have been an entertaining stay. We’re told no more, but one leaves the verse with feelings of tenderness for Philip, who seems a potentially besieged fellow. Agabus comes down from Judea and binds himself with Paul’s own belt in warning.

If all these speak in the Spirit, is Paul ignoring the Spirit in his ‘Look Homeward Angel’ yearnings? You can’t go home again, and sometimes the buntline-hitch mooring your boat to the shore’s piling is better severed. Sail on angels; the future isn’t what it used to be, and never was.

Grace and peace,
The Reverend Canon George F. Woodward III

A MORNING RESOLVE
“I will try this day to live a simple, sincere and serene life, repelling promptly every thought of discontent, anxiety, discouragement, impurity, and self-seeking; cultivating cheerfulness, magnanimity, charity, and the habit of holy silence; exercising economy in expenditure, generosity in giving, carefulness in conversation, diligence in appointed service, fidelity to every trust, and a childlike faith in God.

In particular I will try to be faithful in those habits of prayer, work, study, physical exercise, eating, and sleep which I believe the Holy Spirit has shown me to be right.

And as I cannot in my own strength do this, nor even with a hope of success attempt it, I look to thee, O Lord God my Father, in Jesus my Savior, and ask for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”