I Appeal To Caesar!

Jolted into reality, Saul cannot refuse . . . .

Slowly, sincerely, the sacred words fall from his lips and also those of Nicodemus, Joseph of Arimathea and the other devout men as they join Saul in uttering the words that unite all Israel: “Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might . . . .” A holy silence follows. Tears flow freely as Stephen’s friends arrange his body parts, wiping the remains clean of blood and dirt, and wrapping them in clean linen sheets. Tenderly the body is placed on the litter they have brought. Others, although uninvited, are now drawn to be part of the burial. The bearers lift the litter and slowly head toward a distant burial site. (If at all possible, the Jewish custom is to bury on the day of death.) * * * * * A piercing sound slices and absorbs the very atmosphere. The mixed sound of weeping, sobbing and wailing ascends as unrestrained lamentation! The mournful cry sweeps throughout the community. The men not bearing the litter begin flailing their arms and beating their chests and heads severely. The unexpected happens as remorse grips the crowd of former spectators, and sincere inhabitants leave their places of calloused observers to join the funeral procession. The sight of