PRAISE AND WORSHIP
“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose” (Acts 16:25-26).
Beloved, never underestimate the power of hymns or praise and worship. It tears the heavens open like cotton; it activates our consciousness of the Divine and prompts conversion. The experience in the first reading today led the jailer to conversion.
In the gospel, Jesus prepares his followers for the coming of the Holy Spirit. We too should prepare for the coming of the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit our worship or hymns would be mere rendition. The Spirit gives spiritual relevance and powerful manifestions to our prayers and hymns.
LET US PRAY
Merciful Father, grant that we may in truth receive a share in the Resurrection of Christ your Son and experience the powerful breakthrough of the Holy Spirit. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
ACTS 16:22-34; PSALM 138; JOHN 16:5-11
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
