Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter
May 19, 2023
Daily Reading from the USCCB: Acts 18:9-18
Paul’s 18-month stay in Corinth was productive, though not effortless. Soon after a new governor Gallio, took office the Jews made trouble for Paul. They claimed that he was promoting religious observances contrary to Roman law. Before Paul made his defense, Gallio broke in saying that these were matters of Jewish religion and of no concern to Roman authority.
More than once Paul would deal with Roman authorities. He asserted his rights as a Roman citizen pleading that what he was preaching was not subversive to Roman good order. This was an important issue for early Christians to be able to affirm.
Then and now Christian believers have wanted to be seen as law-abiding citizens, with the right to be accepted as such.
