Thought for the Week

Scriptures to Read:

Acts 19:23-27

Acts 19:28-31

Acts 19:32-34

Acts 19:35-38

Acts 19:39-41

St. John 14:1-6

Exodus 20:1-6

We resume our study of the Book of Acts. Paul is in Ephesus. He has had both success and persecution. He wants to go to Rome. He also wants to complete his journey to Jerusalem as well. There is no title to the Church at this point. So it is known by many as "The Way." There is good reason for this. When people join the Church, becoming followers of Jesus Christ, they have chosen a new way of life.

Remember in St. John Chapter 14, Jesus tells His disciples He is The Way, The Truth and The Life, no one can come to The Father God except through Him. He is the only Way to Heaven. So, being called people of he Way is fitting. Others call them people of The Way also because their lives make such radical changes. They begin to live in a whole new Way. Paul tells us those things that were once extremely important to him are now meaningless. Things he thought wrong have now become truth. He, too, lives a whole new way.

As I said, "Something pops up." A man named Demetrius, who is a leader in the silversmiths' guild, takes issue with Paul and those of The Way. He's come to realize that when people become Followers of The Way, they no longer engage in idolatry. Silversmiths have a lucrative business making silver shrines honoring and promoting the worship of a goddess known as either Diana or Artemis. He gathers his fellow silversmiths and other people whose livelihood also is involved with this pagan idolatry. They begin a march through the city. It soon turns into a frenzy and gathers a mob around it. Many in this mob have no idea what the root of the issue i,s but they still join and are deeply involved in mob mentality.

I should also mention there is a temple dedicated to the worship of Diana (Artemis). It was known as one of the "Seven Wonders of the Ancient World." Some in the mob recognize Gaius and Aristarchus, who are from Greece, as fellow workers of Paul, and Followers of The Way and thrust them forward as the butt of their anger. Soon another person is pushed forward. He is Alexander, and known as a Jew. Jews also do not practice idolatry, don't buy the silver shrine. Therefore he also is considered an enemy. The mob frenzy raises a shout: "Great is Diana, goddess of the Ephesians." This shout goes on for two hours. Quite a pep rally, huh?

Finally, the town clerk, an authority figure of Rome, gets control of the situation. He tells the mob they are acting rashly; the men being accused have done nothing illegal; if silversmiths have a legitimate case, they can take it to court. He warns they are in danger of having The "Peace of Rome" descend on them. This is actually an armed force that would come from Rome and impose harsh punishment and penalties on them. "Go home!" he says. They do. People of The Way, live in a way of peace and love.