{"id":20,"date":"2021-02-28T16:56:00","date_gmt":"2021-02-28T16:56:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/box5588.temp.domains\/~openinj7\/?p=20"},"modified":"2021-04-27T16:28:09","modified_gmt":"2021-04-27T16:28:09","slug":"he-often-refreshed-me","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/openingtheoldwells.com\/?p=20","title":{"rendered":"He Often Refreshed Me"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

II Timothy 1:16<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we make our way through this journey of life, we encounter all manner of situations and experiences. Many of those are times of happiness, joy and success. Sometimes, we are faced with sadness, sorrow and failure. During those latter times, we may become lonely, weary or fearful. We may not be completely devastated nor destroyed, but we are hurting \u2013 both inside and out.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some years ago, I came across a small passage in St. Paul\u2019s second letter to his spiritual son, Timothy (it was likely the last letter he wrote). This passage has carried a special message of comfort and hope when things weren\u2019t going well. Perhaps it will do so for some of you.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; but when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me. The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that Day\u2014and you know very well how many ways he ministered to me at Ephesus.  (II Timothy 1:16-19)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

St. Paul wrote these words while enduring his second imprisonment in Rome in 67 A.D.. During his first imprisonment, he was granted \u201chouse arrest\u201d where visitors were allowed in a home setting. This time, he was bound in chains in a cold Roman dungeon. No one stood with him at his defense and even friends had turned away from him. The hour of his execution was near. Only Luke, his physician, was with him. He was hoping that Timothy would come soon.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, in the midst of this horrible situation, St. Paul graciously remembered a relatively unknown (to us) person who brought him sweet refreshment. \u201cThe Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus for he often refreshed me.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Onesiphorus had travelled from Ephesus to Rome (about 800 miles as the crow flies), apparently to serve St. Paul. While others had forsaken the apostle and were afraid of being imprisoned with him, Onesiphorus \u201cwas not ashamed of my chain\u201d, <\/em>and he eagerly searched until he found him.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As stated earlier, this was such a hard time for St. Paul \u2013 alone for the most part, weary, facing martyrdom. What a lift it must have been when he saw Onesiphorus kneeling before him in the darkness of the cell. Much-needed refreshment had arrived in this beloved friend.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The name, Onesiphorus, means \u201cprofit-bearing\u201d \u2026 bringing something good. St. Paul, in his time of need, was about to receive much good from the presence and service of this brother in Christ.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are several Greek words in the New Testament which are usually translated as refreshment  or a similar meaning. One is anapauo, <\/em>which says, \u201csit down and rest; the work can wait\u201d. Another is sunanapauomai<\/em>, which says, \u201chere, let\u2019s both rest awhile\u201d.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The term, \u201crefreshment\u201d as it occurs in this verse translates the Greek word, anapsucho, <\/em>which we may find quite enlightening. Literally, it means \u201cto make cool\u201d. Another way to say it might be, \u201cdrink this water, I\u2019ll wipe your brow and we\u2019ll keep working together\u201d.  This word occurs only twice in the New Testament. St Luke records St. Peter\u2019s words, \u201cRepent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord\u201d (Acts 3:19).<\/em> How refreshing to be in the presence of one in whom Christ dwells!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Onesiphorus knew that St. Paul would never cease his ministry; he would labor until his last breath. A cup of cold water, a cool cloth for his body and bandages to treat his wounds \u2013 Onesiphorus refreshed his teacher and father in Christ. But beyond that, he remained with him and shared the work. He joined his prayers, listened to his words, wept with him, rejoiced with him and stayed by his side. He did whatever was needed to lighten the load on the saint\u2019s shoulders.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We live in a day when many are carrying heavy burdens. Many are deeply troubled, beset with trials and tribulations. Pressures of daily living are being multiplied by threats to their faith, morality and traditional values.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Isn\u2019t it such a joy \u2013 a comfort \u2013 a refreshing \u2013 to have folks in your life such as Onesiphorus? To have those who refresh you just by being there; to be with those who stay when others have gone; to know those who are not ashamed of you when things aren\u2019t well. How refreshing it is to hear an encouraging word, an understanding smile, a helping hand or even a loving tear.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t we all cherish these \u201crefreshers\u201d in our lives who bring us good, make our days better and offer hope for the journey ahead?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are so grateful for those who have refreshed us over the years; we pray for the Lord\u2019s mercy upon each one and their families. Likewise, we hope that we also \u2013 in the footsteps of Onesiphorus \u2013 have provided some refreshment to others along the way.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

God bless you.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fr. Andrew and Kh. Dannie<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

II Timothy 1:16 As we make our way through this journey of life, we encounter all manner of situations and experiences. Many of those are times of happiness, joy and success. Sometimes, we are faced with sadness, sorrow and failure. During those latter times, we may become lonely, weary or fearful. We may not be […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-posts"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/openingtheoldwells.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/openingtheoldwells.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/openingtheoldwells.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/openingtheoldwells.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/openingtheoldwells.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=20"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/openingtheoldwells.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21,"href":"https:\/\/openingtheoldwells.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20\/revisions\/21"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/openingtheoldwells.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=20"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/openingtheoldwells.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=20"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/openingtheoldwells.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=20"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}