An Interview with St. Paul
Onboard a ship during Paul's journey to Rome, a cabin boy about thirteen years of age encounters the apostle and begins to ask him questions.
Narrator: Saint Paul made many missionary journeys around the Middle East. He traveled to cities and towns teaching about Jesus. After three long journeys to spread Jesus' good news, Paul went to Jerusalem. There, he was put on trial because some people thought that what he was teaching was wrong. The people thought he was trying to change the laws they had followed for many years. Paul tried to defend what Jesus had taught, but he was found guilty anyway. He was sent to Rome as a prisoner to plead his case before Caesar. On the way, his boat was shipwrecked! Our story begins on the last part of his journey to Rome. There has just been a terrible storm and the cabin boy is starting a conversation with Saint Paul.
Boy: That was a really bad storm. Are you hurt, sir?
Paul: No, my son. I am well. This is not the first time I have traveled by sea.
Boy: This is my first job as a cabin boy. The storm really scared me. Have you ever had trouble during your travels?
Paul: Actually, I have had some interesting adventures. In fact, earlier in this very trip, I was shipwrecked! Many of the sailors were frightened, but I reassured them that if they trusted in God everything would turn out. It did! We ended up on the island of Malta and had to spend the winter there.
Boy: Was it dangerous in Malta?
Paul: Not really. The people there were very nice to us. One time, I was getting wood for the fire, and I was bitten by a poisonous snake! The people thought it would kill me, but the Lord looked out for me and I lived.
Boy: You must be really brave! A trip like that would make me too nervous to sail again. How many times have you made a trip like this one?
Paul: This has been my fourth long journey. I traveled three other times to many cities and provinces in Asia. I am traveling now to Rome, but during my earlier trips, I visited other places like Antioch, Ephesus, Athens, Corinth, Philippi, and Thessalonica.
Boy: Wow! You've been all over! Usually, people don't get to travel that much because it's so dangerous. Why do you keep taking these chances?
Paul: I am traveling to spread the message of our Lord, Jesus Christ. The communities that I visit are beginning to grow in their faith and in the numbers of people who follow Jesus. I visit to give them support, to answer their questions and to teach them about the message of our Lord. Have you ever heard of Jesus?
Boy: I think I heard my uncle talk about him once. He was in Ephesus and heard a man teaching about Jesus. My uncle said Jesus came to save all people. Maybe he heard you speaking!
Paul: That's possible. I have been to Ephesus a few times. I visited there on my last two trips. When I visit different places, I stay and work with people in the church there. They know Christ and follow his Way. We discuss his words and try to make peace with those around us.
Boy: You could just write the people a letter. It would be safer than doing all of this traveling. Why don't you just do that?
Paul: I have written many letters to the people in these cities. The letters are helpful to answer questions when I am not there myself. However, it takes a long time to get a letter from one place to another. It could take months! There is no guarantee that the letter will arrive since the messenger might experience trouble when he is traveling.
Boy: That's true. I never thought about that. You said that you have a special message for the people in these places that you visit. What do you have to tell them?
Paul: I come to tell them about Jesus Christ. I spread the good news about the Way that Jesus preached. The message that I bring is to love your brothers and sisters and to create peace. If you follow the Way of Jesus, you can live with him forever in heaven.
Boy: Is that what you are going
to tell the people in Rome?
Paul: The people in Jerusalem were angered by what I said. They
wanted to kill me for going against their laws. I said that Jesus is the
Messiah and that he gave us new laws, but they would not listen. So, they
are sending me to appeal to Caesar for my life. I will tell him what I
told the people in Jerusalem about Jesus. Then, I will pray that the Lord
will convert their hearts so they will listen.
Boy: Is that why you are wearing those chains?
Paul: Yes, but I can't complain about how I have been treated so
far. The centurion who is watching me has given me lots of freedom for
being a prisoner. He has spared my life on one occasion when the soldiers
wanted to kill all the prisoners on board. Since I am a Roman citizen,
I have been given several privileges. All I want to do is peacefully spread
the word about Jesus' Way.
Boy: I want to learn more about Jesus. Are you going to come to
my town?
Paul: I guess that depends on what happens when I get to Rome.
I hope to continue to travel, but even if I don't, there are others who
have learned about the Way. They will continue to teach and turn people's
hearts to Jesus. Do all that you can to learn from these teachers. Jesus
wants you to follow the Way.
Narrator: We still have special teachers to
help us learn about Jesus' Way. Your parents, friends, and catechists
help you find new ways to spread the Word of Jesus. Young people can do
many things to show others Jesus' love. Think about the ways you live
Jesus' Way every day.