Keep me safe, O Lord!

It seems to me that Paul had the same problems with the Sadducees in his day as we have today in this pandemic (Acts 22:30; 23:6-11).  We too are surrounded by those who agree with and those in disagreement with how things should be handled and who and what we should do concerning the current state of affairs in these times.  There are many voices vying (sometimes violently or with hate) to be recognized and heard.  Everyone believes their ideas and point of view is the correct way to proceed, when in fact, it’s probably a combination of all ideas.  It is a “novel” coronavirus, after all!

It’s the same way with our relationship with God.  Too often we spend a lot of energy on telling God what to do and just how to do it.  Jesus assured Paul that He would be there for him, to have courage and continue to do the work he was being called to do.  Paul stated his belief and hope in the resurrection and boldly stood his ground with the Sadducees in spite of the danger to himself.  The gospel reminds us of the unfailing love God has for all of us even when we mess up and forget who’s in charge (John 17:20-26).

As we approach the great feast of Pentecost, the birthday of the church, it’s good to renew once again our commitment as disciples of Jesus to answer the call to preach the good news of the gospel.  We are resurrection people, anointed by the Holy Spirit to give witness to God’s word and to do so with courage and hope that we’re not alone in this task.  There’s no better way of life than to live as children of God, to share this message of hope and courage especially in these uncertain and fearful days of the pandemic.  There’s only one Voice that we must listen to and that belongs to the One who created us and watches over us as only a loving Mother and Father can do.