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Home , Acts 22, Acts 9, Acts of the Apostles, Aeneas (biblical figure)

Chapter 9

Overview: The Risen encounters (9:1-9). Saul is baptized (9:10-19), begins preaching in (9:20-22), and preaches in (9:23-30). The is built up (9:31). Finally, Peter heals (9:32-35) and restores Tabitha to life (9:36-43).

Saul’s Conversation: 9:1 – 9

• Still: Saul was bent on persecuting the Church; mentioned in :4-8 and 26:9-15 • Way: Earliest name for ; describes an entire way of life (thinking, acting, etc.) • Note: In the exodus, the Israelites were known as the people of the way (Ex. 13:21, Is. 40:3) • Light: Theophany (manifestation of God); ’ transfiguration included light (Lk 9:29-31) • Fell: No mention of a horse; many paintings depict Saul falling from a horse (Caravaggio) • Saul, Saul: God called names twice for mission (Abraham, Jacob, , Samuel) (Kurz, 152) • Persecuting me: Jesus identifies Himself with His disciples; the Church is the Body of Christ • Key: Imagine a parish where each parishioner treated others as treating Christ Himself! • Jesus: Jesus is not dead, but alive; He lives in the baptized and those living their faith • Key: Christianity is not primarily about morality or values, but an encounter with Christ • Told what to do: Jesus gives the mission, but does not give all the details to carry it out • See nothing: Symbolic of Saul’s blindness in believing that He was doing God’s will • Key: We all have blind spots; God uses others to speak to our blind spots (need humility) • Led by hand: Ironically, Saul must be helplessly led by the hand into the city (Kurz, 153). • Three days: Alludes to spiritual desolation of Jesus’ disciples between death/ • Key: Paul was taking prisoners; Christ has taken him prisoner (in the way of love)

Saul’s Baptism: 9:10 – 19

• Ananias: God’s chosen instrument for bringing Saul into the Church through baptism • Here I am, Lord: Displays openness, just as Isaiah and Samuel did (Is. 6:8, 1 Sam. 3:4) • Lord said: Jesus gives a vision each to Ananias and to Saul that His will be done • I have heard: Saul’s reputation is well-known; Ananias does not know more than the Lord! • Go: The Lord reiterates Ananias’ mission; His ways are not our ways (Is. 55:8-9) (Kurz, 154) • Suffer: Irony is that Paul will suffer many of the things that he did to Christians (e.g., prison)

Paul’s Sufferings Verses Stoned at 14:19 Beaten and imprisoned at 16:19 – 24 Arrested in Jerusalem 21:30 – 33 House arrest in 28:16 – 31

• My brother: Ananias welcomes Saul as a brother into the Christian community • Regained sight: Sacrament of baptism is “bath of enlightenment” (CCC 1216); child of light • Key: Without Ananias, would we have St. Paul? God invites you to be Ananias for others!

1 Saul Visits Jerusalem: 9:23 – 30

• Long time: In Galatians, Paul says that he spent time in Arabia, then Damascus (1:17-18) • Kill him: Irony is that Paul had participated in the killing of Stephen; suffers with Christians • Basket: God’s providence keeps Paul safe for his missionary journeys to spread the • All afraid: Paul’s reputation was widely known and deeply ingrained in Christian churches • : His name means son of encouragement; strong parishes have lots of Barnabases • Hellenists: They also debated with Stephen (6:9); Paul’s life is in danger wherever he goes • Note: Anglican bishop once said, “When Paul preached, there were riots, when I preach, they give me a cup of tea.” Mother Angelica once remarked, “If you’re not a thorn in somebody’s side, you’re not doing Christianity right.”

The Church at Peace: 9:31

• Church: Luke presents another summary statement about the Church’s growth • Consolation: The aids, comforts, and encourages the Church (Kurz, 162)

Peter Heals Aeneas at Lydda: 9:32 – 35

• Peter: Luke shifts attention back to Peter and his ministry in Lydda, Sharon, and Joppa • Holy ones: Translated as “saints” in RSV; reminder of Christians’ lofty destiny: heaven • Aeneas: Experiences great suffering of being bedridden for eight years; great • Jesus Christ: The power of Christ acts through Peter; acts on the authority/power of Christ • Note: A priest acts in persona Christi capitis (“in the person of Christ the head”); His power! • Make your bed: Bed likely not made for 8 years; proof of Aeneas’ full recovery (Mk 2:9) • All inhabitants: Aeneas’ paralysis was well-known; miracle changes the hearts of many

Peter Restores Tabitha to Life: 9:36 – 43

• Tabitha: Greek , which means “gazelle;” it is a greater miracle – raise from the dead • Good deeds: Later, Peter will say of Jesus, “He went about doing good” (:38) • Room upstairs: Reminiscent of the “upper room” where Holy Spirit was given (1:13; 2:1-4) • Widows: Their tears express their love for their friend and how Tabitha touched them • Tunics and cloaks: Tugging at Peter’s heart; your good deeds follow you after your death! • Note: The Last Judgement will reveal even to its furthest consequences the good each person has done or failed to do during his earthly life (CCC 1039). • Sent them all out: Actions are similar to those of Jesus with Jairus’ daughter (Mt 9:24-25) • Tabitha, rise up: Aramaic Tabitha qumi is similar to Jesus’ Talitha koum (Kurz, 165) • Key: Luke presents the Apostles’ continuing to do what Jesus’ did and taught (Kurz, 165) • Joppa: As with the miracle with Aeneas, Tabitha’s rising from the dead spreads the faith • Simon, the tanner: Those working in this profession were ritually unclean (Lev. 5:2) • Summary: reveals the power of the Holy Spirit: change Saul from a persecutor to a proclaimer of ; Peter heals paralyzed Aeneas (eight years) and raises Tabitha from death to life; the Holy Spirit continues to use people like you to do small and great things!

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