Broken Locks

Wednesday in the Easter Season

But during the night, the angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison,
led them out, and said,
“Go and take your place in the temple area,
and tell the people everything about this life.” – Acts 5:19-20

Our daughter has no doorknob. We went through a phase where she locked herself in her room over and over again. Then she locked herself in a room at a friend’s house and someone was preparing to climb through a second floor window to get to her when she finally figured out how to unlock the door. The result: no more doorknobs. 

In today’s reading, the disciples are imprisoned and their ministry seems to come to a standstill. Then the angel of the Lord breaks through locked doors, freeing the disciples and sending them back to the work they are called to do. Sometimes we make prisons for ourselves. We cannot see a way forward, to follow the call of Christ. We see locked doors, bound hands, empty dreams. 

We are trapped by fear, grief, a desire for security. Is God trying to break me out of my self-imposed prison? Has God removed the locks, opened the doors and challenged me to follow him anew this Easter? 

Prayer

Anima Christi 
Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O Good Jesus, hear me.
Within your wounds hide me.
Permit me not to be separated from you.
From the wicked foe, defend me.
At the hour of my death, call me
and bid me come to you
That with your saints I may praise you
For ever and ever. Amen.

• From the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius. See more translations at www.ignatianspirituality.com 

This post originally appeared on The Jesuit Prayer app.