May 16, 2022

Our Venerable Father Theodore the Sanctified, Disciple of Saint Pachomius (364)
Acts 12:12-17; John 8:42-51

Read Acts 12:12-17

Christ is risen! Truly, He is risen!

Imagine that you and your family were at your prayer corner for your evening prayers. You have already sung the usual opening and the prayers before sleep, and you start to intercede for others; and as you do so, there comes a knock at the door and it turns out to be the very sick person for whom you were praying. You can then well imagine the surprise at the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark (and probable home where the Last Supper took place)! After Rhoda had identified Peter by his voice at the gate, she left him there and ran to the others to tell them and they all thought she was crazy. Peter was locked in prison. It is somewhat comical that Peter just continues to knock until they actually opened the door. As a priest-mentor of mine (now reposed) used to say to me: you must not be surprised that God answers your prayer, and (2) that He answers your prayer in a way beyond your expectations. Let’s keep praying out there!