In those days, King Herod laid hands upon some members of the Church to harm them. He had James, the brother of John, killed by the sword, and when he saw that this was pleasing to the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. It was the feast of Unleavened Bread. He had him taken into custody and put in prison under the guard of four squads of four soldiers each. He intended to bring him before the people after Passover. Peter thus was being kept in prison, but prayer by the Church was fervently being made to God on his behalf.
On the very night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter, secured by double chains, was sleeping between two soldiers, while outside the door guards kept watch on the prison. Suddenly the angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and awakened him, saying, “Get up quickly.” The chains fell from his wrists. The angel said to him, “Put on your belt and your sandals.” He did so. Then he said to him, “Put on your cloak and follow me.” So, he followed him out, not realizing that what was happening through the angel was real; he thought he was seeing a vision.
They passed the first guard, then the second, and came to the iron gate leading out to the city, which opened for them by itself. They emerged and made their way down an alley, and suddenly the angel left him. Then Peter recovered his senses and said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people had been expecting.” (Acts 12:1-11)
On the very night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter, secured by double chains, was sleeping between two soldiers…Suddenly the angel of the Lord stood by him…The chains fell from his wrists.” This is a very imaginative account provided by Gospel-writer Luke about Peter’s presumed confinement and talking angel-assisted rescue and escape through an iron gate that opened by itself.
What is real for all of us are the double-chains that secure us. Some of those chains are hurts, illnesses, addictions, worries, sadness, and guilt. We feel down and out with little hope. Jesus tells us not to fear, to get up quickly – to rise – and to follow him though our iron gates of suffering he opens for us with his love and compassion.
I, Paul, am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance.
The Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the proclamation might be completed, and all the Gentiles might hear it. 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. (2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18)
Yes, the Lord stands by us and gives us strength. The Lord rescues us from the lion’s mouth especially when we compete well, finish the race, and keep the faith. In other words, the lion – evil in its many forms – that threatens us fails to overwhelm us when we rely on the Lord to give us strength. Critically, we have to partner with the Lord through prayer and thanksgiving provided by the Eucharist – our source of strength and stamina. Amen.
Deacon David Pierce
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