Damage Control!

 ACTS IN 90 DAYS

A reading for Friday, September 11, 2020: Acts 22:30-23:11.

"That night the Lord stood near him and said, 'Keep up your courage!"

Now that the Roman Tribune knows Paul is a Roman citizen, he is in full damage control. His fear is that Paul will appeal to a higher authority, meaning Roman power, and he will lose his station or even his life. So he calls together the accusers of Paul for an investigation.

Notice that in damage control mode, all those involved start to act in their own best interest. The Tribune, the Chief Priest, the Sadducees and the Pharisees. All of them turn their eye to self-interest and preservation. It's a pretty sad display of ethics and faith.

It's worth remembering that this is the same scene that played out when Jesus was arrested.

Today, very often we see damage control with those in power. Something happens that wasn't supposed to happen, and those involved start to act in their own best interest. Perhaps it's the human condition known as sin. What are we to do?

Our Lord answers us the same way Paul was visited, "Keep up your courage!" Thanks be to God.