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Acts 12; 6-19
There you have it! He found himself standing alone in a dark alley. The angel had already left him. He came to his senses finally and realized… “I’m not in chains, or prison, I’m free! God really is true to His promise - He rescued me! Now, I better hoof it out of here before the authorities discover I’m gone! I better tell the community that I’m still alive for whatever God wants of me, and, all is not lost!”
(As I listened to the first reading from Acts, it sounded like a chapter out of one of the latest Summer paperbacks, where the hero slips away quietly, to mess up some of the plans the evil cartel has set in motion! It almost makes me want to check out what happens in the next chapter! So, I did!)
Now begins a bit of comedy of errors in Luke’s story! Peter races to the nearest ‘safe house’, which happens to be Mark’s Mother’s place, where the community had gathered to pray for Peter’s released . (I wonder if they had ever experienced such quick results from their prayer before!) Little Rhoda ( must have had phone and door duty that week) runs to the door, hears Peter who’s knocking and desperately asking to get in, to hide and proclaim. Rhoda is so overjoyed that the community’s prayer worked, that Peter is still among the living, that she forgets to open the door! Instead, she runs to the folks! (Rookie!)
The gathered community refuses to believe her, but, she insists, and finally, someone goes to the door and lets Peter (who is still knocking) in! Peter quiets them down and tells them the whole story of how the Lord rescued him from prison. He asks them to spread this good news to the other disciples. (Undoubtedly to build their faith!) Then, for his and their own protection, he drops out of sight, destination unknown, until He reappears in Rome for His witness to Christ. Tragically, the tyrants have their way and execute Peter’s guards after a thorough investigation. In spite of Herod’s violence, God’s Word continues to spread and increase. And Barnabas and Saul pick up and continue the ministry to the Gentiles where Peter left off when He encountered Cornelius…
This excerpt from Acts read like an action story to me and also called me to consider personally,
1- Who are the tyrants of today? How does the Christ in me confront them?
2- How do I permit myself to be imprisoned, in chains by my past, my memories, insecurities, my pride, whatever blocks the power of God at work in me?
3- What does it take for me to be open to and celebrate the healing presence and liberating activity of God in my life? How can I pass this good news on to others?S. Mary Louise Swift, CSFN
