6TH WEEK OF EASTER

Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God. 

That sounds lovely, doesn’t it? Two apostles praising God and singing hymns to him. It conjures up the image of a pair of eager saints, surrounded by a softly glowing light, their eyes turned upward toward heaven.

But that’s not what Luke is describing here. Paul and Silas had just been attacked by a mob and then “stripped” and “beaten with rods” by the city’s magistrate (Acts 16:22). Now they were in prison with their feet “secured . . . to a stake” (16:24). So maybe it’s more accurate to imagine two men bent over in pain, bloodied and with fresh bruises swelling and turning purple as they offer their prayers in weak, raspy voices.

That’s what makes this scene so powerful—and a powerful lesson for us. It’s easy to sing and praise the Lord when you’re sitting peacefully at Mass or in your prayer corner at home. It’s not hard to drum up the faith to offer the Lord some words of praise in the middle of a hectic workday. But when you’ve just been subjected to a brutal beating? That’s something different!

Think of the kind of faith you would need to sing and praise the Lord at such a time. A strong faith that is determined to worship the Lord in every situation. A stubborn faith that is focused on the facts of God’s saving love more than the convenience or inconvenience of circumstances. A trusting faith that believes in a God who will never leave his people alone—especially as they undergo trials.

It’s hard to praise the Lord when you’re facing a mountain of bills, enduring a long-standing illness, or picking up the pieces of a broken marriage. But hard doesn’t mean impossible—or even nearly impossible. Even if all you can manage is a tearful Our Father or a raspy-voiced “Amazing Grace,” offer what you can to the Lord. He hears you and is holding you close to his heart. He treasures your faith, even if it seems weak to you. He will care for you.

“Lord, teach me how to praise you in good times and in bad. May I never lose sight of your love and your glory!”

Acts 16:22-34
Psalm 138:1-3, 7-8
John 16:5-11