WEBVTT 00:00:00.840 --> 00:00:03.700 Hello, this is Father Paul, and I'm glad we're 00:00:03.700 --> 00:00:05.740 taking this journey together to read the Bible 00:00:05.740 --> 00:00:08.960 in a year. Today's reading is from the book of 00:00:08.960 --> 00:00:12.740 Acts, chapters 27 and 28, and the epistle of 00:00:12.740 --> 00:00:16.480 St. Paul to Philemon. From the book of Acts, 00:00:16.579 --> 00:00:20.399 chapter 27. And when it was decided that we should 00:00:20.399 --> 00:00:23.140 sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and some other 00:00:23.140 --> 00:00:26.199 prisoners to one named Julius, a centurion of 00:00:26.199 --> 00:00:29.300 the Augustan regiment. So entering a ship of 00:00:29.300 --> 00:00:32.659 Adramitium, we put to sea, meaning to sail along 00:00:32.659 --> 00:00:36.179 the coasts of Asia. Aristarchus, a Macedonian 00:00:36.179 --> 00:00:38.960 of Thessalonica, was with us, and the next day 00:00:38.960 --> 00:00:42.079 we landed at Sidon, and Julius treated Paul kindly 00:00:42.079 --> 00:00:44.479 and gave him liberty to go to his friends and 00:00:44.479 --> 00:00:47.320 receive care. When we had put to sea from there, 00:00:47.399 --> 00:00:50.259 we sailed under the shelter of Cyprus, because 00:00:50.259 --> 00:00:52.759 the winds were contrary, and when we had sailed 00:00:52.759 --> 00:00:55.619 over the sea, which is off Cilicia and Pamphylia, 00:00:55.869 --> 00:00:59.450 We came to Myra, a city of Lycia. There the centurion 00:00:59.450 --> 00:01:02.570 found an Alexandrian ship sailing to Italy, and 00:01:02.570 --> 00:01:05.150 he put us on board. When he had sailed slowly 00:01:05.150 --> 00:01:08.590 many days and arrived with difficulty off Nidus, 00:01:08.730 --> 00:01:11.489 the wind not permitting us to proceed, we sailed 00:01:11.489 --> 00:01:14.930 under the shelter of Crete off Salmoni. Passing 00:01:14.930 --> 00:01:17.209 it with difficulty, we came to a place called 00:01:17.209 --> 00:01:20.890 Fair Havens, near the city of Lycia. Now when 00:01:20.890 --> 00:01:23.730 much time had been spent, and sailing was now 00:01:23.730 --> 00:01:26.069 dangerous because the fast was already over, 00:01:26.510 --> 00:01:29.650 Paul advised them, saying, Men, I perceive that 00:01:29.650 --> 00:01:32.150 this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, 00:01:32.370 --> 00:01:35.329 not only of the cargo and ship, but also our 00:01:35.329 --> 00:01:38.609 lives. Nevertheless, the centurion was more persuaded 00:01:38.609 --> 00:01:41.489 by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than 00:01:41.489 --> 00:01:44.349 by the things spoken by Paul. And because the 00:01:44.349 --> 00:01:47.109 harbor was not suitable to enter in, the majority 00:01:47.109 --> 00:01:50.280 advised to set sail from there also. if by any 00:01:50.280 --> 00:01:52.939 means they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, 00:01:53.079 --> 00:01:55.760 opening toward the southwest and northwest, and 00:01:55.760 --> 00:01:58.540 winter there. When the south wind blew softly, 00:01:58.840 --> 00:02:01.359 supposing that they had obtained their desire, 00:02:01.540 --> 00:02:04.340 putting out to sea, they sailed close by Crete. 00:02:04.519 --> 00:02:07.760 But not long after, a tempestuous headwind arose, 00:02:08.060 --> 00:02:11.400 called Euroclidon. So when the ship was caught, 00:02:11.620 --> 00:02:14.139 and could not head into the wind, we let her 00:02:14.139 --> 00:02:16.740 drive, and running under the shelter of an island 00:02:16.740 --> 00:02:19.840 called Clauda. we secured the skiff with difficulty 00:02:19.840 --> 00:02:23.340 when they had taken in on board they used cables 00:02:23.340 --> 00:02:26.039 to undergird the ship and fearing lest they should 00:02:26.039 --> 00:02:29.460 run aground on the sirtis sands they struck sail 00:02:29.460 --> 00:02:32.560 and so were driven and because we were exceedingly 00:02:32.560 --> 00:02:35.159 tempest -tossed the next day they lightened the 00:02:35.159 --> 00:02:51.500 ship was finally given up. But after long abstinence 00:02:51.500 --> 00:02:53.900 from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them 00:02:53.900 --> 00:02:56.520 and said, Men, you should have listened to me 00:02:56.520 --> 00:02:59.199 and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this 00:02:59.199 --> 00:03:02.379 disaster and loss. And now I urge you to take 00:03:02.379 --> 00:03:05.080 heart, for there will be no loss of life among 00:03:05.080 --> 00:03:08.280 you, but only of the ship. For there stood by 00:03:08.280 --> 00:03:11.360 me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong 00:03:11.360 --> 00:03:14.539 and whom I serve, saying, Do not be afraid, Paul. 00:03:14.919 --> 00:03:17.240 You must be brought before Caesar, and indeed 00:03:17.240 --> 00:03:20.680 God has granted you all those who sail with you. 00:03:20.780 --> 00:03:23.259 Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God, 00:03:23.460 --> 00:03:26.360 that it will be just as it was told me. However, 00:03:26.599 --> 00:03:29.860 we must run aground on a certain island. Now 00:03:29.860 --> 00:03:32.319 when the fourteenth night had come, as we were 00:03:32.319 --> 00:03:35.419 driven up and down in the Adriatic Sea, About 00:03:35.419 --> 00:03:38.039 midnight the sailors sensed that they were drawing 00:03:38.039 --> 00:03:41.139 near some land, and they took soundings and found 00:03:41.139 --> 00:03:44.039 it to be twenty fathoms. And when they had gone 00:03:44.039 --> 00:03:46.259 a little farther, they took soundings again and 00:03:46.259 --> 00:03:49.280 found it to be fifteen fathoms. Then, fearing 00:03:49.280 --> 00:03:52.000 lest we should run aground on the rocks, they 00:03:52.000 --> 00:03:55.000 dropped four anchors from the stern, and prayed 00:03:55.000 --> 00:03:57.689 for day to come. And as the sailors were seeking 00:03:57.689 --> 00:04:00.289 to escape from the ship, when they had let down 00:04:00.289 --> 00:04:03.289 the skiff into the sea, under pretense of putting 00:04:03.289 --> 00:04:07.009 out anchors from the prow, Paul said to the centurion 00:04:07.009 --> 00:04:09.810 and the soldiers, Unless these men stay in the 00:04:09.810 --> 00:04:12.669 ship, you cannot be saved. Then the soldiers 00:04:12.669 --> 00:04:15.569 cut away the ropes of the skiff and let it fall 00:04:15.569 --> 00:04:19.449 off. And as day was about to dawn, Paul implored 00:04:19.449 --> 00:04:22.550 them all to take food, saying, Today is the fourteenth 00:04:22.550 --> 00:04:25.410 day you have waited and continued without food. 00:04:25.740 --> 00:04:28.899 and eaten nothing. Therefore I urge you to take 00:04:28.899 --> 00:04:31.660 nourishment, for this is for your survival, since 00:04:31.660 --> 00:04:33.980 not a hair will fall from the head of any of 00:04:33.980 --> 00:04:36.480 you. And when he had said these things, he took 00:04:36.480 --> 00:04:38.699 bread and gave thanks to God in the presence 00:04:38.699 --> 00:04:41.519 of them all, and when he had broken it, he began 00:04:41.519 --> 00:04:44.879 to eat. Then they were all encouraged, and also 00:04:44.879 --> 00:04:47.600 took food themselves. And in all we were two 00:04:47.600 --> 00:04:50.279 hundred and seventy -six persons on the ship. 00:04:50.540 --> 00:04:52.879 So when they had eaten enough, they lightened 00:04:52.879 --> 00:04:55.259 the ship, and threw out the wheat into the sea. 00:04:55.740 --> 00:04:58.519 When it was day, they did not recognize the land, 00:04:58.699 --> 00:05:01.379 but they observed a bay with a beach, onto which 00:05:01.379 --> 00:05:03.819 they planned to run the ship if possible, and 00:05:03.819 --> 00:05:05.920 they let go the anchors and left them in the 00:05:05.920 --> 00:05:09.240 sea, meanwhile loosing the rudder ropes, and 00:05:09.240 --> 00:05:11.279 they hoisted the main sail to the wind and made 00:05:11.279 --> 00:05:13.959 for shore, but striking a place where two seas 00:05:13.959 --> 00:05:16.680 met, they ran the ship aground, and the prow 00:05:16.680 --> 00:05:20.389 stuck fast and remained immovable. But the stern 00:05:20.389 --> 00:05:23.170 was being broken up by the violence of the waves, 00:05:23.310 --> 00:05:25.870 and the soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners, 00:05:26.029 --> 00:05:28.370 lest any of them should swim away and escape. 00:05:28.629 --> 00:05:31.589 But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept 00:05:31.589 --> 00:05:34.170 them from their purpose, and commanded that those 00:05:34.170 --> 00:05:37.430 who could swim should jump overboard first and 00:05:37.430 --> 00:05:40.629 get to land, and the rest summon boards and summon 00:05:40.629 --> 00:05:43.509 parts of the ship. And so it was that they all 00:05:43.509 --> 00:05:49.889 escaped safely to land. Chapter 28 Now when they 00:05:49.889 --> 00:05:52.949 had escaped, they then found out that the island 00:05:52.949 --> 00:05:56.129 was called Malta. And the natives showed us unusual 00:05:56.129 --> 00:05:58.810 kindness, for they kindled a fire and made us 00:05:58.810 --> 00:06:00.970 all welcome, because of the rain that was falling 00:06:00.970 --> 00:06:03.670 and because of the cold. But when Paul had gathered 00:06:03.670 --> 00:06:06.560 a bundle of sticks and laid them on a fire, A 00:06:06.560 --> 00:06:09.120 viper came out because of the heat and fastened 00:06:09.120 --> 00:06:11.439 on his hand. So when the natives saw the creature 00:06:11.439 --> 00:06:13.800 hanging from his hand, they said to one another, 00:06:13.959 --> 00:06:16.639 No doubt this man is a murderer, whom though 00:06:16.639 --> 00:06:19.660 he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not 00:06:19.660 --> 00:06:22.379 allow to live. But he shook off the creature 00:06:22.379 --> 00:06:25.439 into the fire and suffered no harm. However, 00:06:25.639 --> 00:06:28.079 they were expecting that he would swell up or 00:06:28.079 --> 00:06:31.339 suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked 00:06:31.339 --> 00:06:33.939 for a long time and saw no harm come to him, 00:06:34.139 --> 00:06:36.899 they changed their minds and said that he was 00:06:36.899 --> 00:06:40.060 a god. In that region, there was an estate of 00:06:40.060 --> 00:06:42.600 the leading citizen of the island, whose name 00:06:42.600 --> 00:06:45.259 was Publius, who received us and entertained 00:06:45.259 --> 00:06:48.639 us courteously for three days. And it happened 00:06:48.639 --> 00:06:51.420 that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever 00:06:51.420 --> 00:06:54.360 and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, 00:06:54.730 --> 00:06:56.689 and he laid his hands on him and healed him. 00:06:56.810 --> 00:06:59.509 So when this was done, the rest of those on the 00:06:59.509 --> 00:07:02.389 island who had diseases also came and were healed. 00:07:02.589 --> 00:07:05.490 They also honored us in many ways, and when we 00:07:05.490 --> 00:07:08.310 departed, they provided such things as were necessary. 00:07:08.930 --> 00:07:11.930 After three months, we sailed in an Alexandrian 00:07:11.930 --> 00:07:14.569 ship, whose figurehead was the twin brothers, 00:07:14.790 --> 00:07:17.889 which had wintered at the island. And landing 00:07:17.889 --> 00:07:21.069 at Syracuse, we stayed three days. From there 00:07:21.069 --> 00:07:24.470 we circled round and reached Regium. And after 00:07:24.470 --> 00:07:27.149 one day the south wind blew, and the next day 00:07:27.149 --> 00:07:30.170 we came to Petiole, where we found brethren and 00:07:30.170 --> 00:07:33.050 were invited to stay with them seven days. And 00:07:33.050 --> 00:07:35.589 so we went toward Rome. And from there, when 00:07:35.589 --> 00:07:37.949 the brethren heard about us, they came to meet 00:07:37.949 --> 00:07:41.290 us as far as Apiae Forum and three inns. When 00:07:41.290 --> 00:07:43.689 Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage. 00:07:44.069 --> 00:07:46.889 Now when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered 00:07:46.889 --> 00:07:49.430 the prisoners to the captain of the guard. But 00:07:49.430 --> 00:07:51.829 Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with the 00:07:51.829 --> 00:07:54.540 soldier who guarded him. And it came to pass 00:07:54.540 --> 00:07:56.860 after three days that Paul called the leaders 00:07:56.860 --> 00:07:59.319 of the Jews together. So when they had come together, 00:07:59.420 --> 00:08:02.180 he said to them, Men and brethren, though I have 00:08:02.180 --> 00:08:04.579 done nothing against our people or the customs 00:08:04.579 --> 00:08:07.860 of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner 00:08:07.860 --> 00:08:10.439 from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans, 00:08:10.600 --> 00:08:13.560 who when they had examined me, wanted to let 00:08:13.560 --> 00:08:15.720 me go because there was no cause for putting 00:08:15.720 --> 00:08:18.040 me to death. But when the Jews spoke against 00:08:18.040 --> 00:08:20.980 it, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not 00:08:20.980 --> 00:08:23.680 that I had anything of which I accused my nation. 00:08:23.879 --> 00:08:26.120 For this reason, therefore, I have called for 00:08:26.120 --> 00:08:28.839 you, to see you and speak with you, because for 00:08:28.839 --> 00:08:31.540 the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain. 00:08:31.920 --> 00:08:34.360 Then they said to him, We neither received letters 00:08:34.360 --> 00:08:37.139 from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the 00:08:37.139 --> 00:08:40.220 brethren who came reported or spoken any evil 00:08:40.220 --> 00:08:43.200 of you. But we desire to hear from you what you 00:08:43.200 --> 00:08:46.379 think. For concerning this sect we know that 00:08:46.379 --> 00:08:49.110 it is spoken against everywhere. So when they 00:08:49.110 --> 00:08:51.769 had appointed him a day, many came to him at 00:08:51.769 --> 00:08:54.509 his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly 00:08:54.509 --> 00:08:57.690 testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them 00:08:57.690 --> 00:09:00.330 concerning Jesus from both the law of Moses and 00:09:00.330 --> 00:09:02.750 the prophets, from morning till evening. And 00:09:02.750 --> 00:09:04.490 some were persuaded by the things which were 00:09:04.490 --> 00:09:07.559 spoken, and some disbelieved. So when they did 00:09:07.559 --> 00:09:10.399 not agree among themselves, they departed after 00:09:10.399 --> 00:09:13.559 Paul had said one word. The Holy Spirit spoke 00:09:13.559 --> 00:09:16.220 rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers, 00:09:16.320 --> 00:09:19.820 saying, Go to this people and say, Hearing you 00:09:19.820 --> 00:09:22.080 will hear and shall not understand, and seeing 00:09:22.080 --> 00:09:24.600 you will see and not perceive. For the hearts 00:09:24.600 --> 00:09:27.289 of this people have grown dull. Their ears are 00:09:27.289 --> 00:09:29.950 hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed. 00:09:30.330 --> 00:09:32.370 Lest they should see with their eyes and hear 00:09:32.370 --> 00:09:34.590 with their ears, lest they should understand 00:09:34.590 --> 00:09:37.490 with their hearts, and turn, so that I should 00:09:37.490 --> 00:09:40.230 heal them. Therefore, let it be known to you 00:09:40.230 --> 00:09:43.450 that the salvation of God has been sent to the 00:09:43.450 --> 00:09:45.870 Gentiles, and they will hear it. And when he 00:09:45.870 --> 00:09:48.610 had said these words, the Jews departed and had 00:09:48.610 --> 00:09:51.929 a great dispute among themselves. Then Paul dwelt 00:09:51.929 --> 00:09:55.370 two whole years in his own rented house and received 00:09:55.370 --> 00:09:57.970 all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of 00:09:57.970 --> 00:10:00.389 God and teaching the things which concern the 00:10:00.389 --> 00:10:03.350 Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one 00:10:03.350 --> 00:10:09.230 forbidding him. The Epistle of St. Paul to Philemon 00:10:09.230 --> 00:10:13.049 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy, 00:10:13.330 --> 00:10:15.830 our brother, to Philemon, our beloved friend 00:10:15.830 --> 00:10:19.750 and fellow laborer, to the beloved Aphia, Archippus, 00:10:19.750 --> 00:10:21.850 our fellow soldier, and to the church in your 00:10:21.850 --> 00:10:24.850 house, grace to you and peace from God, our Father 00:10:24.850 --> 00:10:28.509 and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God, making 00:10:28.509 --> 00:10:30.990 mention of you always in my prayers, hearing 00:10:30.990 --> 00:10:33.470 of your love and faith, which you have toward 00:10:33.470 --> 00:10:36.539 the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints. that 00:10:36.539 --> 00:10:38.980 the sharing of your faith may become effective 00:10:38.980 --> 00:10:42.000 by the acknowledgement of every good thing which 00:10:42.000 --> 00:10:45.000 is in you in Christ Jesus. For we have great 00:10:45.000 --> 00:10:47.899 joy and consolation in your love, because the 00:10:47.899 --> 00:10:50.480 hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, 00:10:50.519 --> 00:10:53.720 brother. Therefore, though I might be very bold 00:10:53.720 --> 00:10:56.600 in Christ to command you what is fitting, yet 00:10:56.600 --> 00:10:59.720 for love's sake I rather appeal to you, being 00:10:59.720 --> 00:11:02.899 such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a 00:11:02.899 --> 00:11:05.799 prisoner of Jesus Christ. I appeal to you for 00:11:05.799 --> 00:11:09.080 my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in 00:11:09.080 --> 00:11:11.639 my chains, who once was unprofitable to you, 00:11:11.759 --> 00:11:15.059 but now is profitable to you and to me. I am 00:11:15.059 --> 00:11:17.460 sending him back. You therefore receive him, 00:11:17.519 --> 00:11:20.720 that is my own heart, whom I wished to keep with 00:11:20.720 --> 00:11:23.559 me, that on your behalf he might minister to 00:11:23.559 --> 00:11:26.559 me in my chains for the gospel. But without your 00:11:26.559 --> 00:11:29.220 consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good 00:11:29.220 --> 00:11:32.379 deed might not be by compulsion as it were, but 00:11:32.379 --> 00:11:35.250 voluntary. For perhaps he departed for a while 00:11:35.250 --> 00:11:37.649 for this purpose, that you might receive him 00:11:37.649 --> 00:11:40.809 forever, no longer as a slave, but more than 00:11:40.809 --> 00:11:43.950 a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, 00:11:44.049 --> 00:11:47.149 but how much more to you, both in the flesh and 00:11:47.149 --> 00:11:50.409 in the Lord. If then you count me as a partner, 00:11:50.570 --> 00:11:54.129 receive him as you would me. But if he has wronged 00:11:54.129 --> 00:11:57.049 you or owes anything, put that on my account. 00:11:57.389 --> 00:12:00.669 I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will 00:12:00.669 --> 00:12:03.700 repay. not to mention to you that you owe me 00:12:03.700 --> 00:12:06.919 even your own self besides. Yes, brother, let 00:12:06.919 --> 00:12:09.480 me have joy from you in the Lord. Refresh my 00:12:09.480 --> 00:12:12.039 heart in the Lord. Having confidence in your 00:12:12.039 --> 00:12:14.440 obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will 00:12:14.440 --> 00:12:18.000 do even more than I say. But meanwhile, also 00:12:18.000 --> 00:12:20.879 prepare a guest room for me, for I trust that 00:12:20.879 --> 00:12:23.100 through your prayers I shall be granted to you. 00:12:23.519 --> 00:12:25.600 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, 00:12:25.820 --> 00:12:30.299 greets you, as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, 00:12:30.320 --> 00:12:33.279 my fellow laborers, the grace of our Lord Jesus 00:12:33.279 --> 00:12:41.460 Christ be with your spirit. Ameen. I hope you 00:12:41.460 --> 00:12:43.759 enjoyed today's reading as much as I did and 00:12:43.759 --> 00:12:45.679 I look forward to seeing you again tomorrow to 00:12:45.679 --> 00:12:47.940 continue on our journey. God bless you and have 00:12:47.940 --> 00:12:48.480 a great day.