Daily Worship

The Peace, the Presence, the Power

James Cathcart April 24, 2022 0 1
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Acts 5: 27-32 (NRSVA)

27 When they had brought them, they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them, 28 saying, ‘We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you are determined to bring this man’s blood on us.’ 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than any human authority. 30 The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Saviour, so that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.’

There is the peace that alerts us to the presence so that we can notice the power.

An impossible, implausible peace in an impossible, implausible place. An unforeseen peace in the midst of fear and pain. A tangible peace — when white noise stops and you can hear the quiet.

In the peace tension gradually dissipates, the grip loosens, breathing slows. The presence of things becomes real, the presence of reality in all its layers. A presence that speaks quietly to the fact that you are not alone. You have not been missed. You are part of this.

In the presence: the power. The power of breath, of life, of love, of the right words to say, of the possible meaning born from confusion.

The peace of heaven, the presence of heaven, the power of heaven.

Peter clears his throat…

 

PRAYER:

 

Holy Spirit,

Enthuse us,

Guiding us in the ways of love and compassion.

Amen.