St. Mark’s Lutheran

Readings
Job 16:16-22 Job 17:1,13-16
Acts 13:1-12
John 9:1-17

Meditation
Barnabus was from Cyprus (Acts 4:36), and at least now he is the elder of Paul and Barnabus. We say that - Pual and Barnabus - but here God sets aside Barnabus and Saul. Barny and Saul set off for Cyprus. Even prophets and teachers are not always above being homesick or a little bit of nepotism. That is probably the last decision the Barnabus gets full reign on. They preach their way accross the Island and straight to the capitol city or Paphos. That is Paul if his letters are any hint. Go to the center. Go to the heart of the matter.

And the Spirit throws them before princes - one proconsul Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence. Somewhere in this post is a boundary marker found in Paphos with his name. Paulus has a staffer interestingly called Bar-Jesus (also elymas). Same as in our day, in the absence of a firm belief in the creator God, things from horoscopes to psychics to meditation on your inner light find there way into our lives. When those large crowds from all over follow Jesus in the gospel, obviously some of them went home and told tales (although Jesus is a common name). For a charlatan to take the name Bar-Jesus surely was play off of that fame. Saul set this guy straight. He blinds him for a time in front of Sergius Paulus.

From this story Saul goes by the name Paul. Jews often has hebraic names (i.e. Saul) and greek names (i.e Paul), but this is an interesting story. Did Paul become Paul in light of or in honor of his convert?

In the end, I read the story as speaking of transitions. Barnabus and Saul, teachers and prophets at Antioch, become Paul and Barnabus, apostles of the church. The magician becomes blinded and the smart man under his sway sees the light. The Word of the crucified one goes into the courts of an important proconsul. The story of Peter we have been hearing changes over to the story of Paul. Transitions. What transitions are we going through that we need the apostles’ guidence?

May the Lord grant you His light to see your way through transitions.

Tags: Meditation //