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THE KNIGHT OF CHRIST APPROACHES THE HEART OF THE EMPIRE

In Which Holy St. Paul Goes to the Temple and Is Sent to Jail

St. Paul Arrives in Jerusalem

 ON God-appointed day, the temple shines

And Paul walks path along these final lines.

Companions fear that Jews may lie in wait

With murd’rous weapons at the city gate.

This fearful caution yet avails naught:

They come in peace through gates of iron wrought.

The house of James quick welcomes humble Paul

For Jesus’ kin has long awaited call.

Paul breaths his binding tales, miraculous,

Oh, church, rejoice to hear Earth’s blessedness:

 

A Request for St. Paul

 

“Not since you came and bore the letter out

On circumcision have you been about.

Now, we are overjoyed to have you near,

But some beloved brothers are unclear

On what you teach of Moses’ law and think

That you condemn its every drop of ink.

For harmony of church, we kind request

Your outward show that Moses, too, was blest.

Dispel suspicion: give the church its rest.

A group of men soon undergo the rites

Of pur’ficaiton, as they’re Israelites.

Cooperate to testify your faith

Is sound while free of legalistic wraith.”

For sake of unity, Saint Paul agrees

And seven days in temple, bends his knees.

But, Jews of Asia, visiting, know Paul

And ancient rage o’erfills their hearts with gall.

 

Enemies Spread Lies

 

They whispered breathless to the Jews most near

That Paul was foul, and led the Gentiles here,

Profaning temple with an unclean folk

While e’en his prayers, a God-made-man invoke.

The Pharisees and coarsely growling foes

Around Paul’s reputation, noose enclose.

And peaceful Paul at prayer is unaware

Foe kinsman all come rushing to ensnare.

The crowd stampede and seize him, rousing din,

Shut gates that he might not invite more in.

And, flogging Paul, they even broke his flesh

For prophecy had said that such would thresh.

 

Romans Intervene

 

When Romans peeled away the violent men,

Arresting Paul, they asked, and once again,

What he had done to so incite their rage

But they ne’er answered, none true blame engage.

But all in bloodlust fury raise to fight

’Til soldiers safely bear Paul out of sight.

When far enough away, they now could hear

Inquiring words of Paul when guards drew near.

He asked the guard, “Sir, may I speak with you?”

The startled Roman turns shocked eyes to Jew,

“You speak the Greek assigned by Roman State?

One voice declared you that Egypt ingrate

Who raised rebellion many years ago.”

 

St. Paul Addresses his Accusers

 

“Indeed, they shout out many things below.

My home, in truth, is quite a way from here,

But not in Egypt, this I speak sincere.

I am a Jew, come from Cilicia.

Might I address this seething plethora?”

Permission granted, Paul ascends the steps

And hushes crowd which, hesitant, accepts.

His eyes were lit by blazing Holy Ghost

Which breathed through him in language of that host,

“I know your zeal twice, for once ’twas beat

Of my own heart, and now ’tis of my meat.

Sir, you grew up with me, indeed, and you:

For in this city was I raised, a Jew.

Old Gamaliel do you not recall?

He taught a pupil apt, once known sole as Saul.

Bring up your memories, and view and see,

That none had fought for Law more fierce than me.

You think you wrestle hard ’gainst me, today?

For me, all this would have been mild ’gainst Way.

But, when I set my heart to cast down Christ,

He cast me on the Way and broke my vice.

When blazing light erased my sight from eye

And voice blew out of heaven, ‘Saul, tell why

Persecute you me?’ And I returned,

‘Who are you, Lord?’ My heart in answer burned,

‘I am the Christ, Lord Jesus Nazarene,

Whom you have sought to persecute, unseen.’

The booming voice was clear in head and ear,

Some with me on that path may e’en be here.

They heard the sound (though not the words) and saw

The light ablaze around, demanding awe.

Damascus was the goal of godly quest,

And, blind and humbled, there I took my rest.

I knew I'd fought the One and Living God,

The same by whom I’d always been so awed.

He brought his knight to heal my dark away.

I eager learned each word that he would say,

Then baptized was, and grew in love of Christ

Returning to this city, where advice

Was spoke by knights, ‘In haste, depart this place

They’ll now regard your words as not but base.’

And answered I, ‘These men have seen of old

How I attacked Your church with blood stone-cold.

They saw me stand before a setting sun

Approving stones cast at Your precious Stephen.’

He comforted, ‘Go now, and I shall send

You far away, the Gentiles to befriend.’"

 

“That You Might Be Saved"

 

The crowd now raised their deaf’ning roar, again,

For Paul’s keen tale must not count unclean men

Among the souls the Lord would choose to save.

And so, the crowd raised voice again, depraved:

“Rid the earth of him, who gravely sinned!”

They make a show of dust to sully wind.

And Rome assumed in Paul a horrid deed,

Inquiring, “On what does this rage feed?”

Which Paul gave answer, “That you might be saved.

Against the truth of Sovereign choice, they've raved.”

 

Flogging St. Paul

 

So violent raged the crowd like quaking earth

That guard did doubt such cause could give it birth.

“We’ll simply flog him for the truth,” suggests

Commander, pulling Paul from mob distressed,

To barracks, where the sound of gnashing tooth

Was muted, and allowed them seek the truth.

But brilliant Paul was versed in dual law,

Of Moses and of Rome and quickly saw

The violation ‘gainst his Roman back

And, nonchalant, he stifled whip’s attack,

“Does law allow a Roman citizen

A flogging, free from trial by fellow men?”

The whip a moment hung, like dead in air,

And Paul, unworried, lay out stretched and bare.

Though fear ne’er came to Paul, fear filled the room

As it sunk in they’d nearly brought down their doom.

A stillness hung, until the leader left

And slammed the door, of stress not yet bereft.

He mounts the steps to find commander there

And, angry, makes near criminal aware,

“You cannot beat this man, he is of Rome.”

 

The Commander's Response

 

Which summoned the commander back to comb 

The startling truth from Paul, which shocked him through,

He asked, “Are you of Rome, who are a Jew?”

And our apostle said, “Indeed, it’s so.”

The Roman men the lashing strip now stow.

“For citizenship mine, was great price paid,”

Replied commander, then Paul speaks, again,

“Yet I paid nothing, born a citizen.”

The men were horrified at what they'd done:

A crime against a birthright Roman son.

Withholding beating, they do not, like mob,

Mistake, but rather halt their unjust job.

 

Chapter 2

Wherein St. Paul is Accused by the Sanhedrin, but Goes Unharmed

 

The Romans Call the Jews to Accuse

To learn what so incited Jews to rage,

They order the Sanhedrin meet and stage

Their accusation and let Paul defend,

So they could, finally, this trial end.

Despite Paul’s recent welts from mob assault

He bravely breathes defense most difficult

For audience to hear, who have no ears.

Begins, “To God’s commands my Way adheres.”

“Strike him!” Ananias cried in wrath.

And Roman rushes to prevent blood-bath.

But e’en without lieutenant’s ample aid,

Paul shouted out before the strike was laid,

“Then, God will strike you down, you white-washed wall!

You would judge best by doing law, withal,

Instead of lashing ’gainst his servant, Paul!”

Reverberating echoes burning pierce.

The Jewish, now more outraged, grow more fierce.

One coldly asks, while glaring eye to eye,

“You dare insult the Lord’s own priest, most high?”

Constraining mincing words, Paul answers back,

“That knowledge of his priesthood, I did lack,

For Law requires us ne’er speak against

The rulers God has placed in reverence.”

 

Interpreting St. Paul's Remark

 

So, some began to question ’bout his sight,

While some, suspicious, sense sarcastic spite.

Some thought he hints subversion of the priest

That with his virtue had his priesthood ceased.

The stifled atmosphere around the saint

Revealed th’odds of Roman’s answer faint.

 

St. Paul Finds the Division

 

Paul knew they'd fight their common enemy

Unless they lost their commonality.

The Spirit lent a oneness to the Church

But cracks between the Jews need little search.

“My brothers,” Paul quick-witted thinks back when

He’d argued resurrection with these men,

With Pharisees, for angels and for souls

Which Sadducees had all denied in whole.

“A Pharisee am I, indeed, one’s son.

This Roman guard must learn what I have done:

And I suppose that he deserves it said:

I’m tried for preaching rising of the dead.”

The Sadducees maligned him cruel with words

But, these same insults Pharisees had heard

And realized they'd turned against them there

And so replied, “You insults are unfair;

Perhaps an angel or a spirit spoke

To this intelligent and well-raised bloke.”

This drove the wedge a little deeper ’tween

Debaters of the seen and the unseen

And when they argued more among their lot

Paul slipped through conscience crack and was forgot.

The troops through turmoil lead off saintly Paul

In safety from chaotic meeting hall.

But, when he left, and factions licked their wounds,

To Paul’s trick they, with speed, became attuned.

 

The Zealots Plot

 

The zealots filled with strength of icy rage

And forty men more strong than th’average

United under oath, “While Paul draws breath

We’ll starve, and we shall thirst until his death.”

The hypocrites advance on priests and hiss,

“Send word to Romans: Paul they must dismiss

Into your hands, for trial under charge.

Guards curious of crime won’t miss chance large

To learn what crimes loquacious Paul has done

So numerous, we ne’er can name but one.

But never will he make his way to you,

For we have planned to kill the sland’rous Jew."

 

 

Chapter 3

St. Paul Hears the Plots, and He is Sent to a Safer Place

St. Paul is Warned

But, Paul was son of Pharisee, before;

Some family still those darkened halls explore.

Paul’s sister’s son had heard device devised,

Then stole away to audience unsurprised

In barrack where Paul lent a hearing ear

And heard the plot borne there with choking fear.

Paul saw a little further than the lad.

A windy-whispered message Paul had had

That he was underway to witness Rome

And soon to leave this strange land he’d called home.

Paul beckoned o’er the Roman guard most close,

With lowered voice, laid bear the words morose,

“I need this boy led quickly to your lead,

To tell a tale of villainy and greed.”

When boy reports the circumstances there,

Such danger does commander come aware.

He pulls together all to rescue Paul

By sending him away before the brawl.

The man knelt down and looked in child’s eyes,

And said, “The words we've spoken, now disguise.

Tell none you came here, none that you know Paul

And thus, save he, and you, and family, all.”

He sent the boy away with hope no ill

First planned for Paul on boy would be fulfilled.

 

The Commander Sends St. Paul to Felix

 

Relieved removing fire from his care,

Th'Commander writes to Felix, governor

In Caes’rea, where th'happy host presides

And sends Paul there, with letter, guard and guide.

He sighs relief when, after anxious wait,

Paul passes through the outer city gate.

Thus, jealous Jews who nipped the Roman heels

In hopes to make the hope of Rome unkeel,

Have chased saint Paul off on the Way to Rome,

So, God bring good from threats of catacomb.

In Caesarea, Paul is favored well

For Rome a kind of kindness e’er compelled.

More so, the church saw both to warmth and food

Till Ananias and the priest intrude.

 

Felix Meets St. Paul's Accusers

 

They fell on Felix, filled with flattery,

“Your ruling years, we’ve ne’er seen jeopardy.

You made reforms, and ruled both sharp and shrewd

And for these things, we ne’er hid gratitude.

We’ve no desire to weary, but forewarn

That you detain a prisoner of scorn,

Both dangerous and mad, this Tarsus Paul,

Who led his rebels t’every foreign hall

And taught religion Caesar ne’er approved,

And e’en our temple’s sacred law reproved.”

So, Felix sought to please the flat’ring Jews,

And sent for Paul that they might him accuse.

Yet, all in all, the gov’nor kept his head

And never trusted too much what they said.

The trial began with accusations yelled

Till Felix called for peace, and shouting quelled.

 

St. Paul's Defense

 

He asked for Paul’s reply to stated crime,

To which he breathed, “Considerable time,

You’ve judged the land: I'll gladly give defense

Before the man with power’s experience.

Twelve days ago, I in Jerusalem

Had sought to pray in holy court with them.

I know the Law. I first myself made clean

(Which you can verify) and entered, seen.

No violent mob nor unclean crowd I brought

But went to pray my every sin forgot.

Nor, e’er before did I do as they say,

But I admit that I believe the Way.

And worship Royal God our fathers claim

And hold both law and prophets in acclaim.

I shall be honest with you, governor

Just one true claim proclaim conspirators:

That I believe the dead do rise, again,

Which in Jerusalem I did defend.”

At this did Felix break the fighting group

And send Paul back to jail with guarding troop,

For Felix knew the way that Way had spread,

Which ne’er in violence sought to bare its head.

 

Felix Hopes for Gold

 

But violence ever seemed to come ’gainst them

And Jews before had asked their flag condemned.

But Felix never heard a real charge

Against this group of Christians, growing large.

For many months, unhappy Felix hoped

That Paul would offer bribe to interlope

Twixt he and sentence given finally,

But Paul but preached in Felix’s company.

He taught the politic what sin was greed,

With punishment eternally to feed

But when the governor felt conscience gnaw,

He’d stutter of return, and then withdraw.

Yet, ever hoping bribe would come at last,

He often came to Paul as two years passed.

At last was Felix summoned back to Rome

To answer for some strife around his home.

For leverage against his trying Jews,

He, as they bid, left Paul nearby the noose.

 

Chapter 4

In Which a New Ruler Comes, and St. Paul Goes to Trial Once Again

 

Pontius Festus Agrees to a Trial

 When Pontius Festus comes to that slight realm,

The Pharisees’ accusing notes o’erwhelm

And draw him to their realm, Jerusalem,

At which he hears but one name come from them.

So, fin’lly, Festus with the grieved agreed,

“I’ll try this Paul on crimes as you’ve decreed,

In Caesarea, where he’s been detained

And, if you like, then come, but leave disdain.

So, cool, you may present your case in court

And every crime of Paul may calm report.”

The like they did, to follow Festus’ call

To Caesarea, there accusing Paul

In every vice and vicious bent of heart

Though ne’er did trying Paul return their art.

 

Where Will St. Paul Be Tried?

 

But Pontius Festus still betakes to please

And thinks to make the fewest enemies

He looks across the shadowed, seething crowd

And, breathless, speaks to Paul, “What if we vowed

Your careful conduct to Jerusalem

That there you might be safely tried by them?

I do not know their laws and customs there,

But this much I assure: a trial fair.

Your int’rest, health, and justice in my heart,

I recommend to their court you depart.”

But Paul, without such bated breath returns,

“In Caesar’s courts my waiting sentence turns.

You know as they and I, I’ve done no wrong:

Kept Law in life and loved the Royal throng

But if my ‘crimes’ should spill my waiting blood,

Then death to me, but one King starts that flood.

Yet, Pontius, would you throw me on their grace?

A long and darkened fall to find that place.

But, lest more wrath for saintly blood they feel

I'll not go there: To Caesar I appeal.”

 

Roman Law is with St. Paul

 

The Roman cry of Paul is marvelous

For none expects such rapid terminus.

But Roman law was clear as Paul did know.

“To Caesar you appeal: to Caesar go,”

Acknowledged Pontius Festus suddenly

While icy silence leaves with Pharisees.

Paul happy walks the way back to the jail

With joy for Roman lands so soon to sail.

 

 

 

Part 7 

 

To Rome

 

Chapter 1

How St. Paul's Words Won Sway with the King of Earth

 

King Agrippa Arrives

On Roman path, Agrippa, King, takes route

To Festus, who his many fin’ries flout.

Now, both the rulers speak with confidence,

But ever seemed poor Festus in suspense

With thoughts of Paul’s peculiar, sharp appeal.

This much to kingly ear he would reveal,

“A matter curious has met me, here,

As fast as I took office, it appeared:

Imprisoned under Felix was one Paul

Who somehow o'erfilled Jews with anxious gall,

Jerusalem will speak not of his crime

But only begs his end be made in time.

I bid them here to testify against,

But, leaving proof, they brought but anger hence.

All I have heard for certain is his claim

That life rekindled rebel Jew of fame,

Who suffered under Pontius Pilate fore

I came to here; I’ve not heard all the lore.

Yet how this is the fuel of life and death

I cannot from these men gain proving breath.

Appealed he to Caesar in the heat,

And now I have the Roman law to meet.”

Agrippa listened with experienced ear

And then declared, “Enlarge this charioteer

Who pulls the Roman reigns to where he will

I’d like to hear the man explain his fill.”

 

St. Paul's Meeting with King Agrippa

 

And, eager for such festive friendship met,

A meeting time the governor has set.

And Paul in hope of Caesar’s arbitrate

Another royal Roman now awaits.

Yes, night must come and stars hold sway o’er sky,

Until the morning star creeps rosy nigh.

And purple hue, with orange, tints fleeing clouds

As sun o’ercrests the hills, and night enshrouds.

So, lift the cloudy veil, blazing star,

Make dark dim constellations nebular,

Let light send glimmer on Bernice’s jewels

And light the feet of king in vestibule;

Now, show the gold and glitter what they are:

A thousand riches, borne here from afar.

Do not neglect to show their royal robes

And dress and chains with gleam th’eye rare probes.

Oh, brilliant star, do justice to their all,

For though the city’s highest come to hall

In all their best attire, they’re ashamed

Before this King and Queen, in purple framed.

Yes, glowing sun, now all have seen your art:

Their niceties are naught if you depart.

But enter prisoner, in tunic brown

Which served two years for day and evening gown

Whose hands and feet are grubby from his time

But with his face aglow in hope sublime.

Created sun, now shine beyond your flame

On he, and fill the royal-clad with shame.

 

Pontius Festus Introduces St. Paul

 

Now, governor gives memorizéd speech

“This man is Paul, whose death the Jews beseech.

On him, no charge of crime has yet been laid,

And, yet, appeal to Caesar has been made.

If I must send, I send without a crime

No crime, no reason, and but wasted time.

And so, I beg your Kingship to divine

What charge against him I can justly sign.”

 

King Agrippa and St. Paul Speak about the Way

 

The King Agrippa knew all Festus’ mind,

To flatter him to friends' alliance kind,

Yet ne’ertheless, Agrippa sought to know

The reason Paul designed to Rome to go.

“And speak, you Christian citizen, what you

Have done particular to jolt the Jew?”

 

St. Paul Testifies

 

Then, Paul in glorious-beaming joy and breath

Saw royal Roman’d heard the words ’gainst death,

“These brothers mine who so condemn my life

Have known its every hour, all the strife

It lent unto that Royal Christian Church,

And all the days I gave to Scripture’s search.

For, since my youth, my every hope I’ve laid

In promise of Messiah prophets made.

Likeminded, all of us were meant to be:

The first to Him should be the Pharisee.

It happened hope of mine was not so shared 

And for the plan of God, we weren’t prepared.

No, Moses and the Prophets were our all,

And Christ's right teaching through it was our fall.

So was my mind, and so were theirs, but so

Was not the Sower’s, making vineyards grow

In rocky ground, much like my heart before

He turned the soil, and sent the Counselor.

So was my mind, when set on fiery church

Both near and far, I hunted where it perched.

And on my way, God cast such brilliant light,

The sun seemed dim, though even at its height.

My eyes were dark for blazing radiance.

Then blew from heaven voice of dominance

With clarity that echoed, ‘Saul, speak why

Does Pharisee assault me, and defy 

The goads you choose to kick so hard against?’

And, even knowing answer, I commenced

To ask: ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He, ‘I am

The King named Jesus Christ, the spotless lamb

Who you directly persecute.  Arise

And stand; for now, don’t trust your eyes,

But turn your feet to where I say to go.

Then, witness to the world what I shall show.

In My Own Way, I’ll rescue from the Jew

Or Gentile cruel that might my knight pursue.

So, never fear: through you I’ll open eyes

And breath a light to darkness and baptize.

Redeem the followers of night’s false light;

Returning them to King, as you’re my knight.

And you shall see their sinful stains removed,

More by my love than by high priest’s reprove.

For I have Kingship over this whole earth

And all are subjects to a King by birth.’

Since then, Agrippa, faithful following,

I bore that gospel banner of my King

To Athens and th’temple, Gentiles, Jews,

And ever I proclaimed just Moses’ news:

See: all I tell the world, did he predict

And, but for timing, we would not conflict.

Thus, joyful, I can speak my Jesus’ name

The first of resurrection Law proclaims,

The One whose blazing light shines o’er the sun

Enthroned to lead the world that He has won.”

 

Festus Disbelieves Sr. Paul

 

Small Festus interrupts, and speech assails.

At Paul’s fine words of other King, he rails,

“You’ve taken leave of your quite ample wit!

Your study great has turned and backward bit.”

But King Agrippa follows argument

And looks to Paul for answer eloquent.

Poor Festus’ mind had been but civil trunk

And happy Felix was to purse debunked,

But King Agrippa’s was more honest made

Who ne’er was bought by flatt’ry nor gold paid.

 

St. Paul Appeals to King Agrippa

 

“My governor, I beg you, be assured,

Of senses and of wits, there still is lord.

The king is well acquainted with the texts

I reference, and prophets won't perplex.

Agrippa, you believe the prophecies,

Don’t doubt their Answer with the Pharisees.”

Bedecked in gold, the king refused to melt,

Turn malleable, though heaven’s heat he felt.

“And do you think in such a narrow day,

That you shall win me over to your Way?”

And Paul replied, while filled with Holy Ghost,

“Perhaps not think, but still I hope, foremost.

But I, indeed, do hope one day you’ll stand

In Christ, like I, though lacking pris’ner’s band.”

 

King Agrippa's Verdict

 

Such saintly speech has due impressed the King,

Who speaks with governor, conjecturing:

“There is no crime to hold the man in jail.

He could go free, should his appeal fail.

But, off to Caesar, he indeed must go

And strongly on those sails, may God blow.

He'll spread his message all the Way to Rome,

To capital from brightened catacomb.”

 

 

 

 

Chapter 2

In Which St. Paul Takes His Quest toward the Royal City of Rome

 

St. Paul Prepares to Begin His Journey

Now, Paul must change his chain for prison bar

Through which he slips some notes to churches far.

And prays, and thanks the King that Rome should come

On one soon day to welcome Christendom.

Oh, day — Arrive! Fill up, and overflow!

For long have you usurpéd been to woe.

Long last, the morning dawns upon a ship,

The agent of th’crim’nal's Romeward trip.  

The hope of Paul does speed him to the sea:

Those ships would bear his mission odyssey.

That way with Paul came Luke and several more.

 

The Ship in the Storm

 

Rise, sea, you subject to the King of lore

And bear the vessel, bear the knights unslayed.

Yet, rebel! Sudden gales tenacious swayed

The vessel’s sail near in twain: they've failed

To keep their course to Cnidus.  But, they've sailed 

To Crete, along the rugged coast to bear,

Arriving at Lasea’s havens fair.

 

St. Paul's Warning to the Captain

 

The sea did churn and building gale blow

Until Paul warned his Roman guard, “To woe

This expedition quickly turns unless

You heed my urging strong: we must regress!

Let us not voyage on for goodly while.”

The pilot scoffed that words of saint were vile,

Assuring that but harm would come Paul’s way,

And they would soon arrive and find safe stay.

But, other winds caused Paul’s bright head to shake 

In light of captain’s overproud mistake.  

The pilot said that wind would bear them all

Wherever he desired, despite our Paul.

Along the Cretean coast they sail at length

And what had seemed a matchless breeze gains strength.

That pilot might have trusted Paul much more;

Soon, many times, he’d rue his scorn of shore.

A fresh storm swept across the nearby land

And tore their ropes and grapples, every strand

Did struggle hard against it, doomed to fall.

“Let us not fight against the wind!” called Paul

Above the sudden gale.  “Give way and let 

It take us where the mighty will is set!”

 

The Captain Changes his Mind

 

The pilot now obeys Paul’s voice, which flew 

Through blasting winds which tore the nerves of crew.

Beneath its gale, they first were stupid brave

And tried preserving loads with rope, but waves 

And wind so beat that they no more delayed

Relinquishing the fruitless things that weighed 

Them down.  But sea will not so quickly sate;

The day to follow, they eliminate

The tackle of the ship.  Through night and day

The sea torments their cow’ring hearts, as they 

Recall the weight of men. Past week of fright,

Imprisoned Paul is drawn awake by light

Amidst the wind and rain. (No others slept.

All crewmen on the deck are fearful kept

Awake while Paul alone, and Luke, take rest.)

 

The Angel's Message

 

In answer to the cries of those distressed,

Who shout for help from Ruler only guessed,

An angel comes, so sent to comfort all

But none was still and peaceful save for Paul

To see the angel with eyes spiritual.

“Be not afraid.  You still must stand and tell

To Caesar what the Lord has done for you.

By God’s good grace, no soul among this crew 

Or passengers will come to harm, although 

This ship will not survive the galesome blow.”

 

The Crew Cannot Await the Promise

 

With angel’s exit, Paul told all he knew

To comfort both the criminals and crew

With these prophetic words of close at hand

Deliverance. When fortnight more has spanned,

A single sailor on the deck at night

Perceives the sound of waves (to his delight)

Against the rocks of land, a welcome sound 

To lost and hungry crew.  His fellows bound,

And weighed their anchor in the dark, so light

Of dawn could show the land and no more spite

Would meet them. Paul does hear the anchor splash 

The sea which rustles him, asleep.  Another clash

Awakens him, and Paul now hears the cries

Of sailors' flight.  The Spirit makes him rise

To warn the guard of their aband’ning crew,

And Paul, still drudging, starved for sleep, spoke true

“Centurion, the Spirit wants you warned:

The crew escapes, and leaves the promise scorned,

The prophecy is gone if we disband.

I recommend you keep them from the land.”

 

The Deserters are Stopped

 

Our Paul returns to sleep when he has spoke

The message, while the Roman fast awoke.

Accompanied by all his men, he sped

To deck, equipped by words of God and dread,

Arriving just in time to see them tasked.

“What bear those ropes within th’sea?” they're asked.

They answer, “Only anchors,” but they lie.

But, those who heard the Spirit’s word soon spy 

Escaping boats, all tethered down below,

And cut the lines off, so that none could go. 

The boats escaped unmanned.  The penalty 

Could have been more severe in its degree—

But God with six and se’nty, hundreds two 

Did vow not one would die, including crew.

 

St. Paul Advises a Feast 

 

So fates of all the men are intertwined. 

Before the sun arises, crew combines

Around our Paul who won them to his side.

“Let’s eat that which our holy God provides

For fear has kept you starving far too long,

The Lord preserves your every hair from wrong,

At times, by what He gave you all along.”  

So, Paul breaks bread and eats, and they, as well,

And when they're full, the rest to water fell,

This way, less weighed, they’d haul more close to shore

(Though shore unknown: none recognize their moor.)

 

 

Chapter 3

Of Those Mysterious Things Which Happened on the Island

 

To Land

 

Still, land was blesséd land, and sailors tried

Their storm-tossed, rugged, broken ship to guide,

But failed for structure’s broke integrity

And broke on sand-bar, cloistered by the sea.

The pris’ners casted longing looks of awe

On freedom’s shore, until the soldiers saw

Their roving gaze and drew swords ”gainst their flight.

But sharp centurion fears threat to knight.

On hearing metal blades’ bloodlusting call,

He stopped them fast, for well he knew that Paul,

This prisoner, who held with God some pact,

Would not be spared in such a desperate act.

Their ship so bound to land would not reach shore,

It soon would sink. They all must swim, before.

 

They Abandon the Doomed Ship

 

The brave and cowards swam, and Paul went last,

When he had taken care that all safe passed.

Ashore, at last, all shout to gods their words

And some praise God of Paul, of whom they heard

So much of care in wind and waves most cruel.

In midst of choral calls with centers dual,

The trees nearby betray approaching sound

All hope but Paul’s and Luke’s most quickly drowned.

The soldiers, fearful of new foes, drew swords,

Again (now, joined by bravest guard’s accord).

The crew and guard a moment breathless spend

Made long by fear, as baffled men who sent

Anew their praise to God of Paul ‘gan wonder

If joy was premature, until from under

The brush immerged a dozen civil men.

They carried food and gear brought from their glen.

 

A Miracle on Malta's Shore

 

By night when more was brought, a fire roared

Upon the shore of Malta, joy restored

As Paul gave praise to God for grace, he vowed

To fire’s unending burn, ne’er dim allowed.

But worldly forces sought his acts to break 

And as he brought more wood, an umber snake 

Lay waiting near yet not among the flames.

A broke tree-branch into the fire aims

Saint Paul, in hopes to make the brilliance spike,

While serpent seeks its chance, then sudden strikes.

It seizes Christian hand and fangs rend deep.

Stunned islanders exclaim, and distance keep

While worm-injected poison fills Paul’s veins.

The islanders in shock exclaim, “What pains                                       

The gods did take, this judgment to perform.

The gods first sought to kill him in the storm, 

But only now does justice him befall.”

The crew did glance concern, but knowing Paul

Enough, they doubt the venom’s victory.

Paul shook the snake away, near casually,  

And set another log upon the fire 

To purge the snake and let the flames mount higher.  

 

How the Natives of Malta Misapprehended

 

The natives, watching Paul, expect ahead

The gruesome sight of swells or dropping dead.

When neither come, another side they see

Supposing, “He must rather some god be,

That the raging sea and serpent’s venomed jaw 

Could harm not him.”  And with a new-found awe 

For crew which brought such being to their shore, 

They lead the men to isle official’s door.

 

How the Roman Governor Felt God's Aid

 

The governor from Rome convenes with crew

He welcomes with a gentle hand, and true, 

But when for all three days of their short stay

He rare was seen, Paul asked him on third day

About his absence, to receive reply, 

“My father, ill in bed, seems soon to die.

The greatest doctors tend to no avail 

Against the ceaseless fever-forcing ail.”  

Paul asked that he might fevered fellow see

And entered in and prayed hymn heavenly

And plead for soulful, then for bod’ly, heart.

He laid on hands, and both the men depart

In matching health, and word was swiftly spread.

Soon, Paul sees all of Malta’s invalids.

By prayer, the Holy Spirit heals all.

Each miracle was dang‘rous, grieving Paul

When they should call him “god”, he’d chide severe

And preached the Truth to everyone who’d hear.

But fringes cannot be the journey's end

The central city must the King befriend;

Good Lord, flood lifeblood all the Way to Rome,

To kingdom heart from knightly catacomb.

 

 

Chapter 4

In Which the Banner-Bearer of the Lord Reaches the Heart of the Empire

 

A Ship Takes the Castaways

At last, a foreign ship the winds afford.

And that ship takes the castaways aboard.

The grateful islanders make them supplied

And see their healer leave, some brighter-eyed.

To Rome! To lifeless heart at last arrives

Our tale of knights in whom the Spirit thrives.

Like mythic men, they cross Aegean sea

And, beaming, fiery Paul comes finally

This way to Rome with helpful wind in sail. 

 

St. Paul Enters Rome

 

Along the way, the church of Rome did hail

Approach of Paul. They praise the Kingly plan

At knight's approach who brightens their dim land

How long he's waited for this day! Such years!

Age past, in Corinth, he had breathed, “From here,

On to Jerusalem and thence to Rome.”  

With joyful heart, he turns toward the home

Of heart-felt aspiration God enthralls.

The sun shone bright upon the way of Paul’s

Approach, because he shook away the snake


And nothing now could stop the fiery wake

From spreading through the empire of Rome,

And making of the realm a Christian home.

Within the city gates, th’conqueror strode, 

The wind was at his back, and there abode

No ill-spread curse against his name — not yet.

In Rome did none suspected him blust’ring threat.

 

 

 

An Unforeseen Danger to the Dark

 

And so, to hear his words the Jews were drawn.  

“Dear brothers, how the days have come and gone

Since temple charged my name with blasphemy.

The blame of those who hope can never see

Now bind my hands, but unbound lips can say

The holy law and prophets point the way

Already trodden by my King who came

To earth, and taught and died, and rose to claim

Our souls from putrid death, t’ascend to sky,

He reigns enthroned above! May none deny 

The prophets preached my Christ of Nazareth.

But Jacob’s sons, preferring death to breath

Have cast Him to the ground, and raise the King

To die upon a tree, that prophets sing

‘You always hear,

                         Yet you are deafened ever

And ever seeing,

                        Yet perceiving never.’

And now to Gentiles, God has sent His grace

And they will not, like some of us, turn face.”

At first, they contemplate the truth at hand

But for that final statement, few could stand.

So, Paul relinquished those to darkness base,

Continuing to preach the Romans grace.

In house arrest in Rome, Paul still could teach

And bear the flame of truth to those he’d reached.

 

God's Rome

Oh, Days —Arrive! Fill up, and overflow!

For long have you usurpéd been to woe.

But now, the breath of love shall waken all

The world through God's good use of wise saint Paul.

Yet, Rome ne'er welcomed knight of God with peace,

But war, like bright Aeneas, foe of Greece,

Who came to Rome and fought those there for bride.

Alike fights Paul, with bride of Christ allied,

And, gospel sword in hand, he drives off death

And brings the bride to God’s indwelling Breath, 

And spreads the blazing truth to Roman core

Espousing Royal Way with holy lore.

Here, Paul, long-suffering knight, can teach such truth

And rapt’rous insights that the aged and youth

Alike will wonder how a man can speak

With blustering voice ’til sometimes, vessel weak,

He'll choke and tear up at the Words he’ll breathe

And, overcome, o’ercame words to ensheathe

The overwhelming sword of Word in hearts

Of men who'll melt before these sacred darts.

A veil will lift; Saint Paul, made weak, behold

In mind a shard of God's land, rich past gold,

A place past Roman borders far and far,

Holds Love that moves the heav’ns and farthest star.

Just so, floods lifeblood all the Way to Rome,

To kingdom heart from knightly catacomb.

 

 

 

 

THE STORY CONTINUES IN PART VI BELOW