On the Surface, Everything Seemed so Spiritually Good!

[Joysong]

In Acts 16:16, we find the story of a possessed girl who had a divining spirit. She followed St. Paul and the others and kept proclaiming publicly, “These men are servants of the most high God and they proclaim to you a way of salvation.” Paul being very much grieved turned and cast out the spirit in the name of Jesus.

Does anyone perceive, as did St. Paul, why the underlying spirit was so harmful to the hearers, when in fact, the girl was being very truthful and “helping” to pave the way for the message they brought?

What the hidden spirit that grieved St. Paul?

 

[Forest-Pine]

NewAdvent:
VERSE 16. A pythonical spirit… That is, a spirit pretending to divine, and tell fortunes.

It’s mentioned in the catechism’s explanation of the profession of faith as well (line 434: The evil spirits fear his name; in his name his disciples perform miracles, for the Father grants all they ask in this name.)

 

[Reepicheep]

1. This was an evil spirit, a devil. If it was allowed to get away with making pronouncements about the Way (the teachings of the Apostles) then people might trust it when it started teaching heresies.
2. She said “a way”, not “the way”. Which implies there are multiple “ways”.

 

[Forest-Pine]

Reepicheep hit the nail on the head:

1. This was an evil spirit, a devil. If it was allowed to get away with making pronouncements about the Way (the teachings of the Apostles) then people might trust it when it started teaching heresies.

I am unclear whether the girl is truly recognizing their goodness, even in her own state, or if she is merely saying the words that the demon within her demands. Either way, it appears that she is trying to coast in on Paul and Silas’ coat tails, so to speak. By following them around and proclaiming that they are “the way” she is hoping that others will identify her with them, and them with God. Thus, this demon-possessed girl will be “of God” and in a position of authority over others. Afterall, Paul and Silas will be gone soon, and she can stay there in their place and lead these people down “the way of salvation.” In other words, she’s trying to steal their flock through “kindness.” Paul and Silas see through the rouse.

They recognize that she is possessed and perform an exorcism. Now she is worthless to her masters, who can’t make any money off her or use her to manipulate others. So the girl’s masters decide to have Paul and Silas “dealt with” by having them beaten and imprisoned. God performs a miracle, many Romans are converted, and Paul and Silas demand respect before they will leave town. All is set right, so they head on their way. (Interesting to note in this chapter alone the many references to entire households being baptized as well. But that’s a side note.)

Douay-Rheims:

Acts 16:16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain girl, having a pythonical spirit, met us, who brought to her masters much gain by divining.

17 This same following Paul and us, cried out, saying: These men are the servants of the most high God, who preach unto you the way of salvation.

18 And this she did many days. But Paul being grieved, turned, and said to the spirit: I command thee, in the name of Jesus Christ, to go out from her. And he went out the same hour.

19 But her masters, seeing that the hope of their gain was gone, apprehending Paul and Silas, brought them into the marketplace to the rulers.

20 And presenting them to the magistrates, they said: These men disturb our city, being Jews;

21 And preach a fashion which it is not lawful for us to receive nor observe, being Romans.

22 And the people ran together against them; and the magistrates rending off their clothes, commanded them to be beaten with rods.

 

[John_Russell_Jr]

There is another interesting story - Read on.
Luke 16:
19: "There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day.

20: And at his gate lay a poor man named Laz’arus, full of sores,

21: who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

22: The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried;

23: and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Laz’arus in his bosom.

24: And he called out, `Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Laz’arus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.’

25: But Abraham said, `Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Laz’arus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish.

26: And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’

27: And he said, `Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house,

28: for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’

29: But Abraham said, `They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’

30: And he said, `No, father Abraham; but if some one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’

31: He said to him, `If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if some one should rise from the dead.’"

Here we see the rich man , in hell, wanting to help his brothers. Noone in hell can do any good. How can this be. He had an alterior motive. He did not want to help anyone. Perhaps he wanted some unfinished business seen to People in hell have their wills permanently fixed on evil.

 

[Joysong]

What interesting replies, everyone! I have been thinking about this passage a good bit lately. There is a marked contrast with the constant public accolades of this woman commending St. Paul, and the stern warnings of Jesus not to make Him known, and to keep silent any reports of His miracles.

It made me wonder if repetitious accolades, even though true, could be the cause of the listener remaining obstinate and unable or unwilling to accept and embrace the truth.

For instance, I had a friend who was extremely devoted to Fr. Solanus, even before he died, and is now in the process of becoming “blessed.” There were very few occasions of being in her presence that reference to him did not come up, to the point of overkill. My spirit recoiled so much that I resolved inwardly never to seek him out or pray to him, even though in truth, he was a very holy man.

Does a table-pounding “overkill” of any other matter, similarly prevent the conversion of another? Is it possible St. Paul knew she would be a hindrance to his message? Just a thought to add another dimension to this passage.

Carole