In this morning’s First Reading (Acts 16:22-34), we hear about the persecution of Paul and Silas as they tried to spread the Gospel. For their missionary work, they are stripped, beaten, and sent to jailer. The prison guard was given strict instructions to guard them securely, so he put Paul and Silas into the innermost cell and secured their feet to a stake.
Every time I read this story, I have to re-read the next verse multiple times. “About midnight, while Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God as the prisoners listened, there was suddenly such a severe earthquake that the foundations of the jail shook; all the doors flew open, and the chains of all were pulled loose.” Woah. These guys had just been stripped, beaten, and thrown in jail for their missionary work. You’d think they’d be licking their wounds and keeping their traps shut so that the guard would leave them alone and possibly release them. Instead, they’re praying and singing hymns to God in their shackles at midnight! This should absolutely positively blow us away.
How can we account for their singular focus and determination to serve God in all things–even in their shackles? We need look no further than 14 chapters before this reading. In Acts 2, Jesus fulfills exactly what He promised in todays’ Gospel reading (John 16:5-11) at Pentecost. “But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes he will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation: sin, because they do not believe in me; righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me; condemnation, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.”
How can we explain the transformation of Jesus’ disciples from a group of cowards and betrayers to men and women full of zeal, willing to risk their lives for the sake of the Gospel? The Advocate. The Holy Spirit. The One who defends and strengthens us in the face of the accuser, Satan.
Before Pentecost, Paul was “laying waste” to the Church, murdering Christians and attempting to thwart all of their work. After Pentecost, when he saw the Advocate at work in the disciples’ souls, he was moved to become one of their most fervent leaders and the focal point of our First Reading today. With the aid of the Holy Spirit, Paul and Silas were able to persevere in prayer and sang hymns to God even in shackles. Instead of shaking their fists at God for allowing them to be beaten and imprisoned, he thanked God in all things. God rewarded Paul and Silas’ faithfulness by sending an earthquake to free them from bondage.
What am I shackled to? What sins are blinding me to the Holy Spirit at work in my life? Am I thanking God in all things, not just the good? Am I, like Paul and Silas, allowing my life to serve as an instrument to bring others to God?
The same prison guard who had shackled Paul and Silas and nearly killed himself out of fear that the Romans would in turn kill him for allowing Paul and Silas to escape after the earthquake, fell to his knees and asks them what he needs to do to be saved. He knew God was responsible for releasing the prisoners that even his prison could not contain. The reading ends with Paul and Silas baptizing the household of the guard and them rejoicing because they came to faith.
When was the last time I called upon the Advocate? When I pray, do I address all 3 Persons in the Trinity, or do I ignore the Holy Spirit? Do I take for granted the sacrament of Confirmation in my day-to-day living? How can I allow the Holy Spirit to unshackle me from the sin that is blinding me? Do I believe enough to start singing in my shackles today?
Come, Holy Spirit!
