Blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him. (Ps 34)

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There is no true refuge outside God. David bears witness to God as his refuge in many of the psalms. In today's Psalm 34, he states:

The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Taste and see how good the LORD is; blessed the man who takes refuge in him.

Today's first reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 5:17-26 ) shows how the angel of the Lord delivers Peter and the Apostles from prison unbeknownst to their captors. They are instructed by the angel to return to the Temple – the place of their arrest: “Go and take your place in the temple area, and tell the people everything about this life.” Peter and the apostles obey. God their Refuge has delivered them, and the following morning, they are found preaching in the Temple. Once again taken into custody, but without force, for fear that the people might stone the Temple guards. Nothing can stop the word of God from bearing fruit in due season, though many have tried.

In today's Gospel reading (Jn 3:16-21), John uses the word “light” to describe Jesus and the truth of His Gospel, and “darkness” to describe what opposes them. John tells us that,

“the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.”

As the darkness of confusion, division and fear seems to take hold in the courts of public opinion, Christ's light will still prevail for those who seek it and are willing to accept it. There will come a time when many will no longer be satisfied with narratives born of darkness. May we be ready, like the Apostles, to “tell them everything about this life.”

My God, in the darkness of these times, show me where the light of Christ's Gospel still needs to penetrate my heart, that I may more fully take refuge in You, for apart from You in Christ, I am lost and can do nothing. But in You, all things are possible. And for this, and so much more, I praise You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.


Link to readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042722.cfm

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