Sometimes our own minds can be a prison so secure that no one else can free us. In today’s reading, we see Peter bound not just once but with doubled chains to hold him in bondage. (click the link to read more)

June 29th, 2017
Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles
Mass during the Day
Lectionary: 591
ACTS 12:1-11
PS 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
2 TM 4:6-8, 17-18
MT 16:13-19

Sometimes our own minds can be a prison so secure that no one else can free us.   In today’s reading, we see Peter bound not just once but with doubled chains to hold him in bondage.    Here we have the unclothed man bound between two guards.   Even in the physical realm of things, this seems hopeless and full of despair.   How can this man without his garments slip away when the guards are right at his side?   Not just a singular chain to bind him but double the subjugation of that which held him in place.   Then the angel appears and frees him, clothes him again, and leads him safely through the dangers that lurk in the night.

This reminder to us of the spiritual battle at hand is one that I think even more apropos in today’s society.   There are many who would keep you bound and in darkness, unable to express your joy or happiness.   If you do not conform to the norms of what others decree to be acceptable, and instead adhere to what God has given you as revealed truth, then you will be pushed away and relegated to a corner.   The enemy wants to bind you in your doubts and fears, trying to make you feel naked and alone in the darkness of your mental cell.   This is what we face each day if we allow it to happen.

God reminds us that He will deliver us from any darkness, from any prison.  To pick up our cloak of dignity, a dignity that comes from being made in the image of God and is not earned, and to place that cloak proudly upon your shoulders and march out of that inner turmoil.   He equips us with the Gospel of Peace to shod your feet that we might be sure in our calling and joyful in our lives.  What does this look like?   Just take the example of Peter.   This man who had failed so miserably, left alone in a prison, was delivered from his bondage.   He who had denied Christ three times was declared the “Prime Minister” of the Church and given the keys of authority and great responsibility of feeding His sheep.  By the standards of the world, Peter should have been rejected and held as least.  By the standards of God, He who lowered himself in humility would be raised to the highest of places.

That is His plan for you as well.   All you need to do is let Go and let God.   Like Peter and Paul, God uses those the world would find least likely to succeed to be examples of His Glory and His love.   Don’t let Satan put you in darkness and bind you with falsehoods and lies.   You are loved!

His servant and yours,
Brian Mullins

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my rock, and my redeemer. - Psalm 19:14

My dear friend, I will miss you

Betty had been sick for a very long time. I was prepared for her death, and had spent time with her talking about it and sharing our faith together. I never knew how hard it was going to be. Today at the funeral the church where it was held had a special time for those who were there to share stories about her and her life. At first I had no intention of getting up and saying anything, but as I began to see that not many where moving to do so.. I began to arm myself with stories. I'm not shy about speaking even if introverted, so I began to pull stories out of my arsenal of time we had spent with her.

My mind began to remember the pinochle games till late in the evening, where we would sit together laughing and telling stories. Betty would have a beer or two and Julie and I some wine or what have you, and we'd just share our lives. Or we'd sit on the back porch as the sun went down and she would tell us stories of her family and friends, of her boys and their antics growing up. Or the time that I went out of town for two weeks after my back surgery unable to mow my yard, and someone called the police on us to report tall weeds in the back. They police came and Betty not only took time to tell the police the situation, but then she and my other neighbors proceeded to take care of my yard so there would be no fine. Or the many times she gave us food to make sure my kids had plenty to eat, or just to make sure that we knew we were loved. It was her way. Or when we stood together in the driveway as she told me she was ready to die, that the pain was getting to be too much and she just didn't know how much longer she could go... as we held on to each other and just cried.

Yes I went to that podium armed with stories to regale the finest of kings, and greatly overestimating my ability to speak to a crowd. I looked up and looked into the eyes of my friends. The eyes of her children and their children, their spouses and families, their friends and relatives. A lump formed in my throat that could not be moved. Tears formed in my eyes and threatened an ocean of misery. I do not know how I got out the few words I did, but I can only say that the Holy Spirit in that moment spoke for me, though I had not the words to say, with groaning that cannot be uttered.. this time the groaning was my own and in my heart.. words that could not be expressed.. feelings that were deeper than I had ever imagined.

In that moment I realized that all the stories I could fathom could not encompass the beauty of who Betty Ann Walker was. So I simply stated that Betty was more than my neighbor, she was my friend. She was like a mother to us, always caring for us and watching over us and our children. We can never thank her enough or repay her for that.

Yes, I will miss my friend. Till we meet again in Heaven, dear one, pray for me.