29 June 2014 - missin mission

29 June 2014 - missin mission

The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him.

We see the way in which the LORD's angel rescues those who fear him as Peter is freed from his prison cell.  His cell is dark, he is secured with double chains, and guarded by four guards.  It would be normal to feel alone.  But he is not alone.  On a human level, "prayer by the Church was fervently being made to God on his behalf."  It is good to know that the prayer of the Church is such a powerful engine for good in the world.  And the Church prays for us as well.  She prays for the whole world, especially for those who struggle and suffer, those in chains for whom Jesus wishes freedom, for whom he comes to bring peace (cf. Joh. 14:27).

Suddenly the angel of the Lord stood by him
and a light shone in the cell.

The angel of the LORD encamps around Peter because he knows to fear the LORD and to take refuge in him.  Flesh and blood did not teach him this.  He takes refuge in the LORD precisely out of response to the Father's revelation.  He himself can be a rock because of the truth of who Jesus is.   That is why he doesn't insist that his freedom lead to a life of ease.  He is freed, not to live a life of comfort and pleasure, but for mission.  He is freed to continue declaring, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus still has plans for Peter with which he will not let King Herod interfere.  He delivers him so miraculously that Peter doesn't even believe it at first.  He thinks he is seeing a vision.  Sometimes the goodness of the LORD is difficult to believe.  We fear that if we open our eyes all the blessings will prove to be a dream.  But the power of his deliverance is real.

“Now I know for certain
that the Lord sent his angel
and rescued me from the hand of Herod

The world tells us that deliverance is an illusion.  It says that our nice experiences have no lasting transformative value.  But if we know who Jesus is we won't fall for the lies of the world.  He is not John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.  He is the one Peter tells us he is.  And because he is he has the power to set us permanently and irrevocably free.

We can't accept this absolute centrality of Jesus through the strength of flesh and blood.  We need the heavenly Father to reveal it to us.  He does so through Peter.  Let us come to Peter and hear him proclaim it.  We see the LORD making him a firm foundation for us.  He makes him the rock on which the Church is built.  Since we are meant to be living stones, since we are meant to be built on rock, let us plant ourselves on the foundations which Peter declares to us.  Even today Jesus speaks and the Father reveals.  Peter, in a sense, still declares the same things through Saint John Paul the Great, through Benedict XVI, and now through Francis.  And when we hear him, we hear Jesus (cf. Luk. 16:10).  

The great Church rises from this rock in spite of people like King Herod because of the promise of Jesus that "the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it."  Jesus ensures the mission of his Church.  But again, this doesn't always mean comfort.  Jesus himself only establishes the Church through his cross.  It is no wonder, then, that he makes it grow with the blood of his martyrs, starting with Stephen.  Even though Peter is the rock, even though the LORD gives him freedom at one time, he also uses Peter's imprisonment and martyrdom.  In this case, it is part of the plan.

Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.” (cf. Joh 21:18-19).

The point is the mission.  When we are delivered we are delivered for mission.  When we are not delivered it can be for mission as well.  That is why even after Paul is freed from his chains and prison cell much like Peter is he remains in the cell.  Because he does so salvation is able to reach the prison guard and his family.

But Paul shouted out in a loud voice, “Do no harm to yourself; we are all here.” He asked for a light and rushed in and, trembling with fear, he fell down before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you and your household will be saved.” So they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to everyone in his house. He took them in at that hour of the night and bathed their wounds; then he and all his family were baptized at once. (cf. Act. 16:28-33).

Sometimes we are frustrated.  We cry for deliverance and the prison doors are not opened.  We need to realize that the LORD's priority is mission.  When we make this the first priority of our hearts we will be able to leave the prisons we should leave and remain in those where the LORD will use us.  Ultimately, deliverance always comes, but not always from external circumstances.

I sought the LORD, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.

He delivers us from our fears.  We can stay in the cell if he wants us there.  We can ever pour out our very lives if it brings him glory.  The most import thing is for the whole world to hear the proclamation of Peter.  The world needs to know that he is "the Christ, the Son of the living God." 

I, Paul, am already being poured out like a libation,
and the time of my departure is at hand.

This is how Paul reconciles all of the profound deliverance he experiences with his imminent martyrdom.  He no longer cares for the worlds ideas of freedom.  Jesus teaches the real truth which sets us free.  Paul now realizes that he will only behold this truth in fullness in his heavenly kingdom.  He begins to say, "I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far" (cf. Phi. 1:23).

And I was rescued from the lion’s mouth.
The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat
and will bring me safe to his heavenly Kingdom.
To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.

God is all about the mission not because he doesn't care about our needs, but because he knows what we need better than we do ourselves.  Let us hear Peter tell us that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.  Let us hear Paul tell us, "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you and your household will be saved.”  They have the mission first in their hearts.  May their prayers make our hearts more like their own, more like the heart of Christ.

I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.