Paul prolonged his speech until midnight because he intended to depart the next day and wanted to encourage the believers thoroughly.
Paul went down, bent over Eutychus, embraced him, and reassured the crowd that his life was in him, demonstrating his compassionate and healing ministry.
Paul foresaw imprisonment and afflictions awaiting him in Jerusalem, as the Holy Spirit testified to him in every city.
The elders wept because Paul told them they would never see his face again, indicating his impending departure and potential martyrdom.
St. Paul describes the old covenant as a dispensation of death with Moses' face veiled, while the new covenant is a dispensation of the Spirit, unveiling the glory of the Lord and transforming believers into His likeness.
St. Paul views present afflictions as a slight momentary affliction preparing believers for an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, emphasizing the importance of focusing on the unseen eternal rewards.
St. Paul's statement emphasizes that the treasure of the gospel and eternal life is not dependent on the messenger's greatness but on the message itself, held in ordinary human vessels.
St. Paul encourages believers to always aim to please the Lord, whether in the body or away from it, knowing they will be judged according to their actions in the body.
In our reading of Acts 20, Fr. Mike reflects on the healing of Eutychus, Paul's willingness to suffer for the sake of the Gospel, and Paul's tender affection for the people he ministered to. In 2 Corinthians, Fr. Mike also highlights Paul's encouragement to hold onto the hope of beholding the glory of God with unveiled faces and to persevere in our afflictions as they prepare for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. Today's readings are Acts 20, 2 Corinthians 3-5, and Proverbs 28:25-28.
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