There are times in life where we come across certain forms of irrational persecution going on around us. Some of such irrational persecution stems from the irrational fear certain parties have towards Christians, whom they accuse are out to convert them or weaken their faith. In recent times, we read of how some of these parties react, even to the point of seeing as a threat, certain ordinary objects, or even certain fixtures and fittings, just because such items are in the shape of a plus sign, which they consider to be the shape of a cross, no matter how absurd or ridiculous such a consideration or thought may be. However, fortunately for us, we do still have some rational and open minded leaders who see such things as petty issues which are being used by certain quarters, who are using religion merely to gain political mileage.
In today's reading, we come across another example of such a rational and open minded leader who could clearly see that the Jews were making a concerted attack on Paul and bringing him before the tribunal, merely out of jealousy and not because Paul had done anything wrong. This leader is Gallio who was proconsul of Achaia. Even though the Jewish crowd tried to create a ruckus by turning on Sosthenes, the synagogue president, and beat him in front of the court house, Gallio still refused to take any notice at all. As far as Gallio was concerned, Paul was innocent in Roman law, and he refused to allow the Jews to incite him to take any action.
If we are leaders in our community, or even if we are political leaders, may we learn from today's reading and call a spade a spade. Instead of misusing religion for political grounds or for personal gain, may we learn to do what is right and just, since we ought to be leaders for the service of all, and not leaders for our own glory.
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