Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter
As a chaplain at a hospital, I have begun to look at scripture and the paschal mystery in whole new ways. It happened that after having read today readings I thought of the fact that sometimes we put restraints on patients who may hurt themselves. Metaphorically, I began to think of all the restraints that are put on us, many of which we put on ourselves through the choices we make. Restraints are things that hold us back or confine us. In my own life, restraints may take the form of lacking the ability to trust that the Lord is completely in charge.
This lack of trust can have the effect of putting myself into a prison of my own making. Today’s reading from Acts reminds us that the Apostles had finally broke the self-made restraint of the upper room by letting go of their fear. In contrast, the fear within the Sanhedrin was growing. It grew because more and more Jews were becoming believers in Christ. The Sanhedrin, compelled by their fear, restrained the apostles to prison so they would no longer preach in the Temple. However, the Spirit intervened and the doors that restrained the Apostles were opened. Gods liberating the captives emboldened them to return to preaching the good news in the temple.
It is enough to break free from being restrained more than once, after that I might have been more afraid of being locked up again and may have forgone preaching. For the Apostles, they had been set free and felt compelled to preach. How has the Spirit loosened or broken restraints in your life? How has this freedom more fully emboldened your discipleship?
"Loving and merciful God, help us to give ourselves completely to a life of discipleship. Empower us not to waver so that we, like the Apostles, might trust You enough to step out in faith and proclaim the good news. Holy Spirit, kindle in us the fire of Your love, so that through us, You shall renew the face of the earth. Amen! Alleluia!"
-Michael Montgomery