I had a difficult time deciding which reading to expound on today. They both have great things to say, but I chose the first reading from Acts.
The scene opens up with Paul and Silas being severely beaten by the jailers. Then they are dragged into a cell and chained to a stake. If they are already locked up in a cell at the far end of the building, why are they also chained to a state? I guess they did not want them walking around in the cell, just a further punishment. But wait! Laying there in pain and agony they burst into joyful songs of praise! After imagining this scene, I ask myself what I would do under these circumstances. I would probably be whining and moaning about what had just happened to me. But I can hear Paul and Silas singing from my prayer chair.
So what happens next? A mighty earthquake makes the building tremble and the cell doors fly open. Their chains of bondage fall off! The ruckus woke the jailer. He saw what had happened and knew what would happen to him. He drew his sword and was ready to take his own life when Paul yelled out, “Do not harm yourself; we are all here” The jailer ran to Paul and Silas and asked them, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved”? Why in the world would he react by saying that? It seems to me that he probably knew that Paul and Silas were holy men. He must have felt like the earthquake was a punishment from God, yet He allowed the jailer and his cohorts to survive. I love Paul’s answer, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you and your household will be saved”!
This gives me great hope. I have asked you all before if you and I are all in. Have we totally given ourselves to the Lord? Do we truly believe in Him? I have been working on this for some time and I believe that I’m at least 11% there. God promises that if you believe, “you and your household will be saved.” I choose to believe that this includes those of our household that may be on the streets (like my youngest son), distant or isolated. This is a great time to be all in. Will you join me?
Serving with joy!
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Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter – Mass in the Morning
Reading 1 Acts 28:16-20, 30-31 When he entered Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him. Three days later he called together the…
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