Stand by me, Lord, and give me strength...

Acts 12:1-11

 
It is probable that each one of us will be subjected to ‘imprisonment’ of some kind, during our lifetimes. Besides chains and mortar, prisons can be constructed of many things: violence, bitterness, unemployment , poverty, pain, illness, or political, cultural or spiritual shunning, to name but a few. Anytime I am held by forces beyond my control, I am imprisoned. Is it always a total loss? St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s prison experiences bear witness to the truth that no matter how challenging and ‘secure’ the prison, the Holy Spirit of God can empower followers of Jesus to be freed or live beyond any prison experience. “The Lord stood by me,” Paul says, “and gave me strength, so that through me the Gospel might be fully proclaimed.”  When I am in ‘prison’ of any kind, do I fold in on my own self, or do I invite the Lord to stand by me and give me strength?  Stand by me, Lord, and give me strength when I am in prison so that I can bear witness by faith, hope and love to the Gospel of Christ Jesus.
 
The Angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. O taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.  (Psalm 34:7,8)
 
Praise is the antidote to sin... Praise is what best helps [me] to decentralize [myself] and to recentralize on God.
Raniero Cantalamessa
For info on Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa see http://www.cantalamessa.org/?lang=en
 
www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca  & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook
 
Soli ad gloriam Dei