Hello, this is Father Paul, and I'm glad we're
taking this journey together to read the Bible
in a year. Today's reading is from the book of
Acts, chapters 27 and 28, and the epistle of
St. Paul to Philemon. From the book of Acts,
chapter 27. And when it was decided that we should
sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and some other
prisoners to one named Julius, a centurion of
the Augustan regiment. So entering a ship of
Adramitium, we put to sea, meaning to sail along
the coasts of Asia. Aristarchus, a Macedonian
of Thessalonica, was with us, and the next day
we landed at Sidon, and Julius treated Paul kindly
and gave him liberty to go to his friends and
receive care. When we had put to sea from there,
we sailed under the shelter of Cyprus, because
the winds were contrary, and when we had sailed
over the sea, which is off Cilicia and Pamphylia,
We came to Myra, a city of Lycia. There the centurion
found an Alexandrian ship sailing to Italy, and
he put us on board. When he had sailed slowly
many days and arrived with difficulty off Nidus,
the wind not permitting us to proceed, we sailed
under the shelter of Crete off Salmoni. Passing
it with difficulty, we came to a place called
Fair Havens, near the city of Lycia. Now when
much time had been spent, and sailing was now
dangerous because the fast was already over,
Paul advised them, saying, Men, I perceive that
this voyage will end with disaster and much loss,
not only of the cargo and ship, but also our
lives. Nevertheless, the centurion was more persuaded
by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than
by the things spoken by Paul. And because the
harbor was not suitable to enter in, the majority
advised to set sail from there also. if by any
means they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete,
opening toward the southwest and northwest, and
winter there. When the south wind blew softly,
supposing that they had obtained their desire,
putting out to sea, they sailed close by Crete.
But not long after, a tempestuous headwind arose,
called Euroclidon. So when the ship was caught,
and could not head into the wind, we let her
drive, and running under the shelter of an island
called Clauda. we secured the skiff with difficulty
when they had taken in on board they used cables
to undergird the ship and fearing lest they should
run aground on the sirtis sands they struck sail
and so were driven and because we were exceedingly
tempest -tossed the next day they lightened the
ship was finally given up. But after long abstinence
from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them
and said, Men, you should have listened to me
and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this
disaster and loss. And now I urge you to take
heart, for there will be no loss of life among
you, but only of the ship. For there stood by
me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong
and whom I serve, saying, Do not be afraid, Paul.
You must be brought before Caesar, and indeed
God has granted you all those who sail with you.
Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God,
that it will be just as it was told me. However,
we must run aground on a certain island. Now
when the fourteenth night had come, as we were
driven up and down in the Adriatic Sea, About
midnight the sailors sensed that they were drawing
near some land, and they took soundings and found
it to be twenty fathoms. And when they had gone
a little farther, they took soundings again and
found it to be fifteen fathoms. Then, fearing
lest we should run aground on the rocks, they
dropped four anchors from the stern, and prayed
for day to come. And as the sailors were seeking
to escape from the ship, when they had let down
the skiff into the sea, under pretense of putting
out anchors from the prow, Paul said to the centurion
and the soldiers, Unless these men stay in the
ship, you cannot be saved. Then the soldiers
cut away the ropes of the skiff and let it fall
off. And as day was about to dawn, Paul implored
them all to take food, saying, Today is the fourteenth
day you have waited and continued without food.
and eaten nothing. Therefore I urge you to take
nourishment, for this is for your survival, since
not a hair will fall from the head of any of
you. And when he had said these things, he took
bread and gave thanks to God in the presence
of them all, and when he had broken it, he began
to eat. Then they were all encouraged, and also
took food themselves. And in all we were two
hundred and seventy -six persons on the ship.
So when they had eaten enough, they lightened
the ship, and threw out the wheat into the sea.
When it was day, they did not recognize the land,
but they observed a bay with a beach, onto which
they planned to run the ship if possible, and
they let go the anchors and left them in the
sea, meanwhile loosing the rudder ropes, and
they hoisted the main sail to the wind and made
for shore, but striking a place where two seas
met, they ran the ship aground, and the prow
stuck fast and remained immovable. But the stern
was being broken up by the violence of the waves,
and the soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners,
lest any of them should swim away and escape.
But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept
them from their purpose, and commanded that those
who could swim should jump overboard first and
get to land, and the rest summon boards and summon
parts of the ship. And so it was that they all
escaped safely to land. Chapter 28 Now when they
had escaped, they then found out that the island
was called Malta. And the natives showed us unusual
kindness, for they kindled a fire and made us
all welcome, because of the rain that was falling
and because of the cold. But when Paul had gathered
a bundle of sticks and laid them on a fire, A
viper came out because of the heat and fastened
on his hand. So when the natives saw the creature
hanging from his hand, they said to one another,
No doubt this man is a murderer, whom though
he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not
allow to live. But he shook off the creature
into the fire and suffered no harm. However,
they were expecting that he would swell up or
suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked
for a long time and saw no harm come to him,
they changed their minds and said that he was
a god. In that region, there was an estate of
the leading citizen of the island, whose name
was Publius, who received us and entertained
us courteously for three days. And it happened
that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever
and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed,
and he laid his hands on him and healed him.
So when this was done, the rest of those on the
island who had diseases also came and were healed.
They also honored us in many ways, and when we
departed, they provided such things as were necessary.
After three months, we sailed in an Alexandrian
ship, whose figurehead was the twin brothers,
which had wintered at the island. And landing
at Syracuse, we stayed three days. From there
we circled round and reached Regium. And after
one day the south wind blew, and the next day
we came to Petiole, where we found brethren and
were invited to stay with them seven days. And
so we went toward Rome. And from there, when
the brethren heard about us, they came to meet
us as far as Apiae Forum and three inns. When
Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.
Now when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered
the prisoners to the captain of the guard. But
Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with the
soldier who guarded him. And it came to pass
after three days that Paul called the leaders
of the Jews together. So when they had come together,
he said to them, Men and brethren, though I have
done nothing against our people or the customs
of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner
from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans,
who when they had examined me, wanted to let
me go because there was no cause for putting
me to death. But when the Jews spoke against
it, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not
that I had anything of which I accused my nation.
For this reason, therefore, I have called for
you, to see you and speak with you, because for
the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.
Then they said to him, We neither received letters
from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the
brethren who came reported or spoken any evil
of you. But we desire to hear from you what you
think. For concerning this sect we know that
it is spoken against everywhere. So when they
had appointed him a day, many came to him at
his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly
testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them
concerning Jesus from both the law of Moses and
the prophets, from morning till evening. And
some were persuaded by the things which were
spoken, and some disbelieved. So when they did
not agree among themselves, they departed after
Paul had said one word. The Holy Spirit spoke
rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers,
saying, Go to this people and say, Hearing you
will hear and shall not understand, and seeing
you will see and not perceive. For the hearts
of this people have grown dull. Their ears are
hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed.
Lest they should see with their eyes and hear
with their ears, lest they should understand
with their hearts, and turn, so that I should
heal them. Therefore, let it be known to you
that the salvation of God has been sent to the
Gentiles, and they will hear it. And when he
had said these words, the Jews departed and had
a great dispute among themselves. Then Paul dwelt
two whole years in his own rented house and received
all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of
God and teaching the things which concern the
Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one
forbidding him. The Epistle of St. Paul to Philemon
Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy,
our brother, to Philemon, our beloved friend
and fellow laborer, to the beloved Aphia, Archippus,
our fellow soldier, and to the church in your
house, grace to you and peace from God, our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God, making
mention of you always in my prayers, hearing
of your love and faith, which you have toward
the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints. that
the sharing of your faith may become effective
by the acknowledgement of every good thing which
is in you in Christ Jesus. For we have great
joy and consolation in your love, because the
hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you,
brother. Therefore, though I might be very bold
in Christ to command you what is fitting, yet
for love's sake I rather appeal to you, being
such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a
prisoner of Jesus Christ. I appeal to you for
my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in
my chains, who once was unprofitable to you,
but now is profitable to you and to me. I am
sending him back. You therefore receive him,
that is my own heart, whom I wished to keep with
me, that on your behalf he might minister to
me in my chains for the gospel. But without your
consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good
deed might not be by compulsion as it were, but
voluntary. For perhaps he departed for a while
for this purpose, that you might receive him
forever, no longer as a slave, but more than
a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me,
but how much more to you, both in the flesh and
in the Lord. If then you count me as a partner,
receive him as you would me. But if he has wronged
you or owes anything, put that on my account.
I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will
repay. not to mention to you that you owe me
even your own self besides. Yes, brother, let
me have joy from you in the Lord. Refresh my
heart in the Lord. Having confidence in your
obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will
do even more than I say. But meanwhile, also
prepare a guest room for me, for I trust that
through your prayers I shall be granted to you.
Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus,
greets you, as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke,
my fellow laborers, the grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ be with your spirit. Ameen. I hope you
enjoyed today's reading as much as I did and
I look forward to seeing you again tomorrow to
continue on our journey. God bless you and have
a great day.