Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“But Paul replied, ‘They have beaten us in public, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and now are they going to discharge us in secret? Certainly not! Let them come and take us out themselves.’”
NL Daily Devotion for Monday, May 9, 2022
by Dr. Kimberly Leetch, Clergy Stuff
Paul and Silas had been wrongfully accused of disturbing the peace after they cast a spirit out of a young girl that had been making money for her masters with fortune-telling. They were flogged and thrown into prison. When God opened the jail cell doors, giving them the opportunity to escape, they remained. They were not guilty of this crime, so they were not going to slink away. The jailer realized these men were innocent of the charge and asked to have them released.
When the magistrates realized they were not only innocent of the charges, but were also citizens of Rome, they were terrified. They arranged to have Paul and Silas released quietly. But Paul wasn’t having it. They had been accused, flogged, imprisoned in a very public forum. Paul insisted that they be treated with the respect they deserved. The magistrates relented, apologized, and sent them on their way.
This makes me wonder how often people in our community have been wrongly accused of a crime, beaten, and imprisoned. Then when they are absolved, they are invited to slink away without an equally public recognition of the apology. It is time we start to offer reparations for people and communities that have been treated abhorrently. Paul demanded no less. We can do better.
