God of surprises
Need of memorials/celebrations.
In the Easter season, the readings of the daily eucharist are connected to the life of the first Christian community.
The high priest rose up and all his companions, that is, the party of the Sadducees, and, filled with jealousy, laid hands upon the Apostles and put them in the public jail. But during the night, the angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison, led them out. (Acts 5, 17–18)
The disciples were arrested and God's angel freed them. The disciples would have surely prayed, though its not mentioned here. It’s difficult to guess whether they have prayed for their release from the prison. Whatever it is, we see a God of surprises here. A God, who acts in ways disciples have never thought of or at times even prayed for.
I am sure each one of us have experiences like this (may not be as special as release from the prisons) in our life. It is important to hold appropriate memories of such events, which is surely a major help in living the difficult patches of life.
We have rituals like confession, which is a sacrament of mercy. It becomes a sacrament only for the memories of sins for many. If it remains so, its a sad thing. I think we also need rituals or rite which are memorials for blessings in life, for celebrating the God of surprises etc.
Gospel has these powerful lines,
God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. (John 3,16–17)
Jesus, the son of God, has come not to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Now each one of us, if we call ourselves children of God, has a similar mission. We are not the saviour of the world, but we are also not called to sit in judgement seats and utter free judgements. We can be people who sense or engender hope, joy, love, kindness and peace in the world, especially in the hopeless situations.
I think memorials or celebrations of the God of surprises in my personal life can be a big help in imitating God who is the saviour and not the condemning one.
