A reading from the Acts of the Apostles 4:23-31
"As they prayed, the place where they were gathered shook,
and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit
and continued to speak the word of God with boldness." (Acts 4:31)
REFLECTION:
“Wow”. Peter and John were imprisoned, probably threatened and mishandled, yet they came out with more energy and conviction and asked, sought and knocked and the door was opened for them.
Looking back I am amazed in how God answers prayers. No, I did not marry my first love, No, none of my children turned out to be famous, and No, I did not get half of what I prayed for: but I did marry a terrific man, had three children that taught me unconditional love and many interesting acquaintances and friends to spend time with in my aging years.
And as Peter and John prayed for the Lord to take note of the threats of the Pharisees, for boldness in their speech, and for healing and signs and wonders to be done in His name, “the place where they were gathered shook and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.”
It is hard to understand how God answers prayers, but the truth of the matter is that God answers all prayers. Many times I cannot recognize what my prayer was because He answered a different way. I don’t know why a vibrant, religious Birdie C. died at a young age of her Multiple Sclerosis. I don’t know why there are addictions, mental illness, failed marriages, broken family relations when there has been so much knocking and praying at the door.
I do know that I know nothing, and when I want fullness, God may give me emptiness. When I want joy, God may allow sorrow and grief in my life. But I do know, as Peter and John, that God loves me and that is the greatest answer to my prayers.
Sometimes God does not gift us with our desires, because there is more out there that He wants to give us. After all, He gave His Son as ransom so that I could be saved and redeemed. I trust my Father.
God Bless You
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