“Desiring to know the real reason why the Jews accused Paul, the tribune unbound him, and commanded the chief priests and all the council to meet, and he brought Paul down and set him before them.
But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brethren, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees; with respect to the hope and resurrection of the dead I am on trial.”
And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the assembly was divided.”
Excerpt, First Reading, Thursday 16th May 2024 – ACTS 22:30; 23 :6- 11.
So, at one point or the other, we must have heard the expression, “The enemy of my enemy is my friend. So, it was the case☝️above in today’s teaching, between the Sadducees and the Pharisees who despite their differences, united because of a perceived foe who they found in the Apostle Paul.
By the way, who were even these peoples?
Sadducees were upper-class wealthy men mostly from Jerusalem who made up the Jewish aristocracy. Pharisees came from all economic classes but were distinguished by their rigid adherence to specific behaviour prescriptions arising from their interpretation of the ambiguities in the Torah. – SOURCE: Sturdy.com
Okay, from the reference☝️above, it’s quite evidence that these are a people that have their very distinct differences and nothing would easily unite them safe for a common cause like getting rid of the Apostle Paul.
It’s just like how politics temporary bridges the schism between the upper class and the peasants during political campaigns.
At such a time, those who fly in planes and ride in darkly tinted 4wheel drive vehicles will suddenly flood our neighbourhood and start pretending to be trekking around on our streets and pretending to eat roasted corn as they walk on the road, just like we do.
However, in today’s case☝️with Apostle Paul, they weren’t pretending.
Now, here once again is the efficacy of prayer. Though Paul may have prayed all night for God’s intervention, nevertheless, when he got to the Tribunal and his eyes beheld those seated there, he quickly prayed an arrow prayer to God for Divine intervention . Hence, his wisdom of bringing up the dissenting issues that divides these peoples.
Dear friend, even if it is just a matter of seconds grace that is available to us, we can still pray the arrow prayer as did Paul in today’s teaching and miracles would still spring on in our favour.
My fear friend, it is true, prayer changes things.
Have a fantastic day folks.
#Blessed_Carlo_Acutis! #Pray_for_us!
– Akase F. Agabo