Risen Christ, help me in all my ways to acknowledge you ...

 
Acts 5:34-42 & John 6:16-21

 
When the waves of trauma are stirred up and tossing up the water around us, let’s take our cue from Peter and the other apostles!  Sometime soon after the resurrection when the memory of their Master’s Ascension was still new and the fire of the Holy Sprit still fresh….  What a day they had!  Within 24 hours, after tirelessly preaching to capacity crowds in the Temple, they were arrested and imprisoned; an angel attended them and opened the prison doors and sending them back to the Temple to preach; A few hours later they  were re-apprehended and brought before the elders and the Temple Council  and then held in remand while the Sanhedrin debated their fate; after some time they were brought in before the Council and had to craft a solid defense on the fly; Peter delivered a stirring 5-star sermon and then the apostles were all whipped and released back onto the streets of Jerusalem – during the Roman occupation. Their response? They could have slinked off to drink and lick their wounds. They could have retreated to plan their push back against the status quo, or to pray and preach to each other for a day or two. They could have widely broadcast the injustices of the Jewish elders and the Council and started an uprising.  Or they could have turned around on the Temple steps and used their oratorical skills to blame and ridicule their accusers. But they did none of these things. We are told by Luke, the author of Acts, that they rejoiced in the Lord.  They rejoiced that they had been considered worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name of Christ Jesus, and had then continued to proclaim the Good News of new life in Christ Jesus as the Messiah. If I am imprisoned will it be for living out my faith in Christ and proclaiming the Good News, or will it be for some lesser charge that simply reflects my own sinfulness? When I am accused of being too ‘religious’ will I, like the apostles, be looking for Holy stamina and the help of angels because I, too, am committed first and foremost to acknowledge Christ Jesus in all my pathways and bypasses? Risen Christ, help me in all my ways to acknowledge you.
 
The Lord is just in all his ways, and kind in all his doing. The Lord is near to all who call on him in truth.   (Psalm 145: 17 & 18)
 
The Spirit comes gently and makes himself known by his fragrance.  He is not felt as a burden because God is light, very light.  Rays of light and knowledge stream before him as the Spirit approaches.  The Spirit comes with the tenderness of a true friend to save, to heal, to teach, to counsel, to strengthen and console
Saint Cyril of Jerusalem
 
A Blessed, Holy and Happy Easter season to you and your family.
May you evermore align your heart with the will of God, as Jesus did!  
Allelulia! Even when all looks like death, really it can be  Life! 
Alleluia!  Alleluia!
 
Soli ad gloriam Dei
Gospel Mystery of the Day on FaceBook & www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca