Have you ever been persecuted because of your faith? One day, as Paul and Silas were preaching in the city of Philippi, a demon possessed girl kept harassing them day after day, saying, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” While what she said was certainly true, St. Paul did not need a demon possessed girl advertising for him. In compassion for her, he cast the demon out of the girl and set her free from being demon possessed. The girl’s owners, however, who exploited her to make money as a fortune teller, caused a stir in the city. Paul and Silas were arrested, and without a trial, they were beaten with rods and thrown into jail. Can you imagine that? They were beaten with rods and thrown into jail simply for setting a poor slave girl free from possession by demons and exploitation by evil men!