Acts 20:7 – 12
On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight. There were many lamps in the upstairs room where we were meeting. Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound sleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead. Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “He’s alive!” Then he went up stairs and broke bread and ate. After talking until daylight, he left. The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted.
What’s Going On?
Paul was imprisoned in Ephesis, then released. He travels through Asia Minor, collecting funs to support the Jesus followers in Jerusalem.
While in Traos, he gives an extended sermon.
A boy, Eutychus dozes off and falls out from the window.
Paul brings him back to life.
What Are We Seeing?
Three sources of light appear in the fresco.
One is from the moon illuminating the buildings in the background.
A second is from a torch, which lights up Paul’s face.
A third is either from the low left, or from Eutychus himself, bringing attention to the miracle of resurrected life.
Quote – Fresco 19
The whole teaching of Paul the Apostle start from, and arrives at, the mystery of him whom the Father raised from the dead.
Pope Benedict XVI
I’d forgotten this story, but am sure glad that Paul couldn’t be accused of talking the young man to death (smile). He did go on and on, but thank goodness for it: we have all those letters.
And, memoirs 🙂 to delight us. (An Honest Home is in the reading queue).