Locked Doors

The door was locked. Not even a crack of light could get through.  The teenager inside didn’t want to talk. She just wanted to be left alone. I felt pretty powerless. There wasn’t anything that I could do until she herself chose to open that door. I just sat on the carpet in the hallway, and prayed, “O God, help.” 

The disciples had locked the door, too. They were afraid. They didn’t want to be found. 

Jesus could have knocked the door down. He could have removed the hinges. He had the power to do that. But he didn’t. He used power differently. He set aside earthly physics. He “came” into their midst.  There he was. The door didn’t open at all. Jesus brought his friends peace and reconciliation. 

But he also had a bigger vision. He poured power into these people for a purpose—for them to burst open those doors and pour out into the streets to bring peace and healing. “Receive the Holy Spirit!” the  Lord said. 

And what a bursting forth! In today’s story from Acts, Peter and the apostles are running on God’s power—not power for power’s sake, but power to heal. People haul the sick out onto the streets so that Peter’s shadow can fall upon them and they are cured. 

I cannot pop through walls. I had to wait. But the Holy Spirit must have oozed in through the cracks here as well. That bedroom door did eventually open. The teenager smiled through her tears. We had a good talk, peaceful and healing. I hope that she discovers her mission to bring peace and healing to this world as well, for she has much to offer. O God, help!

Consider/Discuss 

• Power is sometimes considered to be a dirty word. Historically, power has been abused and used to hurt. But power can also be used to heal. In Jesus’  divine mercy for the world, there is much healing to be done. What kind of  Spirit-filled power would you like to pray for today, in order to fulfill the mission that you are called to? 
• I have a friend who is not very tall. But she is a fireball of prayer. She expects God to act. Do we live in expectation of God’s power? Jesus says,  “Receive the Holy Spirit.” Are we eager for the movement of the Holy Spirit in our lives? 

Living and Praying with the Word 

Holy Spirit, you know that there are times when we sit powerlessly on the floor, helpless to open locked doors. We ask for your power, not for ourselves, but to be your gift to this world. Purify us, convert us, transform us, so that we can be filled with your goodness; make us magnetic, loving, and giving people. It is you who pop into unlikely places. Ooze your love into hearts that we love, no matter how closed.  Your love is so beautiful, wanting us all to be fully alive. Help us to share in that mission of yours, to radiate your openness and pass it on. Breathe on our world, Breath of God!