Then someone called from the crowd, “Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father’s estate with me.”
Jesus replied, “Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?” Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”
Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’
“But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’
“Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”
Prayer: Lord Jesus – May I live as a wise person… valuing my relationship with you over my comfort and security. All that I have is on loan from you. May I use it to further your Kingdom purposes. And may I live each day with the end in mind… standing before you… face to face… knowing and being known. For your name’s sake. Amen.
One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent! For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to me.” So Paul stayed there for the next year and a half, teaching the word of God.
But when Gallio became governor of Achaia, some Jews rose up together against Paul and brought him before the governor for judgment. They accused Paul of “persuading people to worship God in ways that are contrary to our law.”
But just as Paul started to make his defense, Gallio turned to Paul’s accusers and said, “Listen, you Jews, if this were a case involving some wrongdoing or a serious crime, I would have a reason to accept your case. But since it is merely a question of words and names and your Jewish law, take care of it yourselves. I refuse to judge such matters.” And he threw them out of the courtroom.
The crowd then grabbed Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, and beat him right there in the courtroom. But Gallio paid no attention.
Prayer: Lord Jesus – You have already prepared the hearts of your own… to hear your voice and welcome your word of Life. Give us your mind to understand… your words to speak… and your heart which burns with compassion for those who are lost… to guide them gently into your fold… and to feed and care for them as they discover your eternal purpose for their lives. And protect your people from all harm… whether in the fold or outside. For your name’s sake I ask it. Amen.
Spiritual Song:“You Alone Can Rescue” – Matt Redman
Then Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he became acquainted with a Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently arrived from Italy with his wife, Priscilla. They had left Italy when Claudius Caesar deported all Jews from Rome. Paul lived and worked with them, for they were tent makers just as he was.
Each Sabbath found Paul at the synagogue, trying to convince the Jews and Greeks alike. And after Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul spent all his time preaching the word. He testified to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. But when they opposed and insulted him, Paul shook the dust from his clothes and said, “Your blood is upon your own heads — I am innocent. From now on I will go preach to the Gentiles.”
Then he left and went to the home of Titius Justus, a Gentile who worshiped God and lived next door to the synagogue. Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, and everyone in his household believed in the Lord. Many others in Corinth also heard Paul, became believers, and were baptized.
Prayer: Lord Jesus – Sometimes you just want us to move on… and thankfully Paul chose to bring the Good News to the Gentiles… to me. Thank you for Jewish people like Aquila and Priscilla… who became believers and welcomed Paul into their home. Thank you for Gentile people like Titius Justus… who opened his home to Paul as his mission to the Gentile world began to take shape. And thank you for people like Crispus… who became believers along with their entire households… and sealed their belief with baptism. Thank you for touching their hearts and changing their lives… often at great personal cost.
And your Spirit continues to move across the world today… changing hearts, changing lives, gathering in people whom you have prepared to receive your Word of mercy, grace and hope. Protect these your children from the evil one… and make them a light to the nations. May your name be praised. Amen.
While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply troubled by all the idols he saw everywhere in the city.
He went to the synagogue to reason with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and he spoke daily in the public square to all who happened to be there. He also had a debate with some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers.
When he told them about Jesus and his resurrection, they said, “What’s this babbler trying to say with these strange ideas he’s picked up?” Others said, “He seems to be preaching about some foreign gods.”
Then they took him to the high council of the city. “Come and tell us about this new teaching,” they said. “You are saying some rather strange things, and we want to know what it’s all about.” (It should be explained that all the Athenians as well as the foreigners in Athens seemed to spend all their time discussing the latest ideas.)
So Paul, standing before the council, addressed them as follows: “Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious in every way, for as I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: ‘To an Unknown God.’ This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I’m telling you about.
“He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t live in man-made temples, and human hands can’t serve his needs—for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need. From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries.
“His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us. For in him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ And since this is true, we shouldn’t think of God as an idol designed by craftsmen from gold or silver or stone.
“God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him. For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead.”
When they heard Paul speak about the resurrection of the dead, some laughed in contempt, but others said, “We want to hear more about this later.”
That ended Paul’s discussion with them, but some joined him and became believers. Among them were Dionysius, a member of the council, a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
Prayer: Lord Jesus – Give me a heart for the lost. Give me the discernment and sensitivity to connect with them where they are. And may I always be prepared to give a reason for the hope that is in me… freely telling others the Good News of what you have done for me. To God be the glory. Amen.
Spiritual Song: “Creation sings the Father’s song” – Stuart Townend
Peanut Gallery: Here’s some good news from West Belfast.
“As missiles were hurled and Protestant houses came under attack, residents described how Catholic neighbours came to their aid.”
After the depressing images from Belfast which have flashed around the world in recent days, Northern Ireland has shown another side of community relations.
On Friday night a nationalist mob went on the rampage through a Protestant enclave in west Belfast. Cars were attacked, a house window was smashed.
On the face of it, another hate-filled sectarian attack is little cause for optimism.
But from the adversity of the residents of Ringford Park a glimmer of hope has emerged.
The families whose peace was shattered so violently at the weekend have drawn comfort from the basic kindness and generosity shown by their nationalist neighbours.
One woman recalled how a Catholic man had pleaded with the mob to leave them in peace.
“One of the fellas actually came up and apologised,” said Brenda McCrum, a Protestant who has lived in the area for 22 years.
“He tried to hold the crowd back but he wasn’t able to do it on his own.
“He said he was sorry for what happened.”
The terrifying attack on the families who live in this small estate, just off the Stewartstown Road, took place about 10pm.
Linda Bradshaw, who has lived there 42 years, had two car windows broken.
She said the violence was reminiscent of the Troubles.
“It was like being back in the 1970s – it was frightening,” she said.
“I’ve seen rioting here in the past but I’ve never been as scared as I was on Friday night.
“They came from everywhere, they were actually in the middle of the estate damaging cars – young girls and boys.
“The girls had their rucksacks filled with bricks, the boys had hurley bats and that’s what did the damage to the cars.
“They were vicious, just like animals – out to do damage to this community.”
Martin McGuinness took to Twitter to express his solidarity with the residents.
“The sectarian attacks in the Suffolk area were a disgrace. Information on the bigots responsible should be passed to police,” Mr McGuinness wrote.
Condemnation also came from Matt Garrett, a Sinn Fein councillor in west Belfast.
He said it was “disgraceful” and “sectarian”.
Such comments are to be expected. There can be no response other than condemnation of violent and criminal behaviour. What is more heartening has been the reaction from the grassroots nationalist community.
As missiles were hurled and Protestant houses came under attack, residents described how Catholic neighbours came to their aid.
Ruth Parkinson, who has lived in the Suffolk area for half-a-century, said there have been practical offers of help.
“People have offered us the lend of their cars,” she said. “The response has been very heartening.
“It’s good to know there are people out there who will support you.
“It isn’t all hatred and not everyone is bitter.”
One Catholic man who tried to stop the mob was reluctant to speak publicly about his efforts.
His rationale was that it didn’t matter, these people were his neighbours, he knows them and he was doing nothing unusual. “If someone’s in trouble then you help them,” he said.
“It is just being a good citizen and a good neighbour.”
Yesterday the families targeted in the rampage attended a meeting with police at Woodbourne PSNI station.
They were accompanied by nationalist politicians including Mr Garrett and SDLP councillor Tim Attwood.
Gerry McConville, a west Belfast community worker, also lent his support.
At a brief Press conference after the meeting, they stood shoulder to shoulder with those targeted on Friday night. As they left, there were handshakes and words of support.
“We want to lend our support to the people of Suffolk estate,” Mr Garrett said afterwards.
“This attack was wrong, it shouldn’t have happened and they whole-heartedly have our support.”
