The Lord breaks the prison bar

Acts 16:22-34, Jn 16:5-11. Today's first reading recounts the experience in gaol during the night, as Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, an earthquake broke down the prison gates. While they could have escaped, they remained where they were. The gaoler woke up, saw his prison gates open and drew a sword to kill himself, afraid of the consequences. Paul calmed him down and after a quick instruction about Jesus, baptised the gaoler and his entire household. Then the gaoler held a feast for the missionaries. Like Paul and Barnabas, the modern Christians often stand in need of spiritual help, from the Holy Spirit promised by Jesus in today's Gospel. Crises like those met by Paul are not just a test of our personal character but can be the occasion to renew our trust in the love of the Holy Spirit. The love of Jesus surpasses our predictions and fears. Out of the most threatening trial, good can emerge.

When the Advocate, the Holy Spirit comes, He will show the world the truth to tread, about who was in the right and about judgement. Those who approved of Jesus being crucified thought He must have been a sinner to have died in the way He did – for this form of death showed that God had judged Him. They believed they were right to put Him to death, for leading Israelites astray from the law of Moses. Clearly, we consider their assessments totally mistaken. Jesus was never a sinner; He was not judged by God; His judges and executioners were not in the right. What an enormous disparity between God’s perception and human perception. The one whom God looked upon as a beloved Son, others looked upon as a sinner. The one whom God sent was considered condemned by God. We need to keep seeking God’s perspective, to see others as God sees them, to judge as God judges. It is the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, who gives us God’s perspective. It is He who enables us to see as God sees, to know as God knows, to be wise as God is wise. That is why we need the Holy Spirit to keep filling the hearts of the faithful.

May the Lord place deep in our hearts the spirit of the Gospel, so that it may inspire us to cast out the leaven of corruption and malice! Amen!! Good morning and have a pleasant day!!!