September 16, 2014
Trial before Felix
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles 24, 1 – 23:
Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and an advocate, a certain Tertullus, and they presented formal charges against Paul to the governor. When he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, “Since we have attained much peace through you, and reforms have been accomplished in this nation through your provident care, we acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with all gratitude. But in order not to detain you further, I ask you to give us a brief hearing with your customary graciousness. We found this man to be a pest; he creates dissension among Jews all over the world and is a ringleader of the seer of the Nazoreans. He even tried to desecrate our temple, but we arrest him. If you examine him you will be able to learn from him for yourself about everything of which we are accusing him.” The Jews also joined in the attack and asserted that these things were so.
Then the governor motioned to him to speak and Paul replied, “I know that you have been a judge over this nation for many years and so I am pleased to make my defense before you. As you can verify, not more than twelve days have passed since I went up to Jerusalem to worship. Neither in the temple, nor in the synagogue, nor anywhere in the city did they find me arguing with anyone or instigating a riot among the people. Nor can they prove to you the accusations they are now making against me. But this I do admit to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our ancestors and I believe everything that is in accordance with the law and written in the prophets. I have the same hope in God as they themselves have that there will be a resurrection of the righteous and the unrighteous. Because of this, I always strive to keep my conscience clear before God and man. After many years, I came to bring alms for my nation and offerings. While I was so engaged, they found me, after my purification in the temple without a crowd or disturbance. But some Jews from the province of Asia, who should be here before you to make whatever accusation they might have against me–or let these men themselves state what crime they discovered when I stood before the Sanhedrin, unless it was my one outcry as I stood among them, that I am on trial before you today for the resurrection of the dead.”
Then Felix, who was accurately informed about the Way, postponed the trial, saying, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I shall decide your case.” He gave orders to the centurion that he should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that he should not prevent any of his friends from caring for his needs.
Today I prayed for a nine year old boy who suffers from cancer. I asked the Lord to heal him with His great power. I know that the Lord loves children and He is always ready to heal them. I will continue to pray for him until I hear that he is healed. Please pray with me for this boy called Orlando.
Below you will find the message of Our Lord and Savior given to Father Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words,
“I call you My brother Melvin and all My brothers and sisters to have great trust in Me. I am always there to help you. When Saint Paul came before the Governor Felix, he was accused by the Jews of causing a riot and that he wanted to destroy the temple. Paul stood up and answered these charges before Felix. He told him that although they have accused me of these charges, they cannot prove them. He had come to Jerusalem to bring alms for the people and he went to the temple to pray after his purification. It was there in the temple that Jews from Asia started to shout at him. Saint Paul had not done anything wrong. Then the other Jews joined those Jews from Asia and started a riot. They wanted to kill Paul. The commander of the troops had to rush in the temple and take Saint Paul from their midst. They accused him of all kinds of nonsense and made a plot to kill him. So he was sent to Caesarea. It was there that the Jews from Jerusalem came and accused Paul. At the end the Governor decided to postpone the trial until the commander in Jerusalem comes down to Caesarea.
I was there at this trial and I heard the false accusations they presented against Saint Paul. What they wanted was to kill Saint Paul, but the Governor did not take any decision on the case. Saint Paul is on his way to Rome, there is where I wanted him to go and to work there for some years. He worked hard and helped very much in building up My Church. He had great trust in Me. I bless you all.”
Father Melvin
P.S. We had a mostly cloudy day on Monday and it was much cooler. Tomorrow it should be sunny.