But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go.
For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you.
But if I go, I will send him to you.
And when he comes he will convict the world
in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation
It is not primarily our job to convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation. It isn't even mainly the job of our parish priest, our bishop, missionaries, or the Pope. Evangelization is primarily a work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the one who does the actual convicting. We for our part need to receive him and welcome him into our midst. Jesus tells us it is better that he goes because it means the advocate will come. In order for this to be true for us the presence of the Advocate should be at least as real for us as the presence of Jesus was his disciples.
Only if we listen to the Holy Spirit will we be in the right place at the right time for the LORD to do mighty works through us.
About midnight, while Paul and Silas were praying
and singing hymns to God as the prisoners listened,
there was suddenly such a severe earthquake
that the foundations of the jail shook;
all the doors flew open, and the chains of all were pulled loose.
Let's by honest. Most of us wouldn't stick around. We'd get out of a bad situation for us without worrying about those around us. But Paul and Silas know there is something more important than simple escape.
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?"
And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus
and you and your household will be saved."
Do we hear the Spirit well enough to spend the extra hours in a dark prison cell when the salvation of another soul is on the line? Probably we don't hear him quite that well. Let's ask for more of his presence in our lives. Let us ask to experience how it is better to have him with us than even the physical presence of Jesus. Our expectation should be that the Spirit is at work in our lives in mighty and tangible ways. And we needn't worry. He won't leave us in the cell forever. He will only keep us there until we are able to help free others from a deeper imprisonment to sin.
Your right hand saves me.
The LORD will complete what he has done for me;
your kindness, O LORD, endures forever;
forsake not the work of your hands.
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