The incident in today's first reading reenacts the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus, right down to his preaching to the lost souls in hell. It is a stern but joyous reminder of the reception Christians should expect whenever they live faithfully by their Baptism.
We see the disciples' remarkable freedom from anger and resentment as they sang God's praises throughout the night, despite their wounds and imprisonment. When the opportunity of escape suddenly opened before them, they didn't grab it for they were already free within their hearts. Why should they rush out in the middle of the night into a foreign city when they already had a place to sleep?
But the joyful Holy Spirit directed them to reassure their jailer they were fine despite the darkness of their keep. He, in turn, took them home to bandage their wounds, feed them breakfast, and receive their gospel along with his entire household.
The story continues beyond today's reading as Paul refused to be released secretly. He insisted that the magistrates personally come and deal with him for he was a Roman citizen. Cowed by that unexpected development, they apologized profusely and politely asked the disciples to leave. They agreed to leave after revisiting the gracious lady, Lydia, who had first welcomed them. They would not flee. Free people depart when they're ready to, and not when they're told to!
The disciples, of course, live under the authority of the Holy Spirit. They can use things of this world, like their Roman citizenship, to further the Gospel; but they are never slaves to their status or position, much less to their possessions. They move freely and lightly, unburdened even by the insult they suffered as Roman citizens. This remarkable demonstration of freedom had an amazing effect for the church of Philippi soon became an exemplary community.
Today's reading, part of Jesus's farewell discourse in the Fourth Gospel, also speaks to us of freedom as the Lord explains his absence.
For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you.
But if I go, I will send him to you.
The foolish might ask, "If the Lord has been raised up, how come we can't see him?" But we can see him in the freedom of his disciples. That is far more convincing than the bizarre appearances of a powerful man, even one who might have died and been raised up!
We will always hear the heckles of a skeptical society. They really, really hate to be challenged by the Truth. I heard, amid the recently-roused-into-fury abortion debate, absurd interpretations of biblical stories. Opposed to the freedom of responsible adults, they hurl non sequiturs to indicate they are unwilling to engage in rational discourse. Obviously this question will not be resolved by reasonable people and the willingness to agreeably disagree. How it will be resolved remains hidden in the mind of God, but we can expect much distress before That Great Day.
In the meanwhile, we keep the faith. We press our government officials to do the right thing; we practice integrity in our personal and public lives; and we maintain our religious practices. We never forget that it is right and just to lift up our hearts to the Lord as Paul and Silas did in their gloomy jail cell. What good will come of it we cannot tell, but it will be amazing.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.