Easter 7                                    Acts 16:16-34                                        5/23/04

                                                New Beginnings

This is a day for celebration. Paul and Silas have confirmation that God is with them, even in prison, when an earthquake opens the cell doors. They, of course, were rejoicing even before this avenue of escape opened up.

The jailer rejoices because all of the prisoners were so effected by Paul and Silas’ songs and prayers they didn’t leave their cells.

God rejoices because all of this gave the Holy Spirit an opportunity to work in the jailer’s heart, resulting in the jailer coming to faith. All in all, there’s a whole lotta rejoicin’ goin’ on.

And well there should be. I doubt there is a single prisoner in our Cambridge Springs women’s prison or in the Albion men’s prison who has enjoyed the experience of being tried and imprisoned. But, the experience of men and women in modern day jails is like time at a spa compared to what Paul and Silas endured. They were stripped, beaten with rods, put in chains and confined to the worst cell in the prison. You can be sure also that this Roman prison was a far cry from the kind of confinement used now. Cells would have been dark, cold and stinking. There probably would have been vermin everywhere and only dirty straw to sit or lie on. Since Paul and Silas were put deep inside the building, conditions were probably even worse since they would not have air circulating from even a small window. No wonder the other prisoners were impressed when Paul and Silas sang.

Then the earth quaked and the prison doors were flung open. It was truly a miracle that no one ran off. It surely must have seemed like a miracle to the jailer whose punishment would have been death at the least if even one prisoner had been missing.

And by the way, the story doesn’t end with Paul baptizing the jailer and his family, then going on his merry way. Unfortunately, the people who organized the Revised Common Lectionary stopped the lesson at this point, and only if we extend it ourselves do we get to enjoy one of the funniest stories in Scripture.

The next day the magistrates come to their senses and order the release of Paul and Silas - they really had done nothing illegal anyway. But, Paul refuses to leave. Not only had they been beaten, thrown in jail without a trial and generally humiliated; it turns out that Paul is actually a Roman citizen. His father had bought citizenship in the empire and this citizenship then extended to the whole family. In the Roman empire citizens received a higher degree of justice than conquered peoples and anyone denying them their rights was in biiiiiig trouble. What Paul does in demanding that the magistrates come to escort them out of prison is comparable to someone today threatening to call in the ACLU, lawyer from the O. J. Simpson case - Johnny Walker, the Civil Rights Commission chair and representatives from every media outlet in the region.

The magistrates come, do as they’re told and beg Paul and Silas to leave their city - presumably in the hope that they can keep the scandal from getting out. The last verse of the chapter has Paul and Silas returning to a friends home and then taking their good old time about leaving town.

While I didn’t want to miss out on this story, the focus really is on the new beginning demonstrated in the lesson as presented in the lectionary. Because of Paul and Silas’ witness the jailer not only doesn’t have to face physical death, he is also saved from eternal death. His baptism, his and his household’s reception into the family of God, gives them all a new beginning. Such new beginnings make glad the heart of God.

We too celebrate new beginnings in the family of God today. We honor our young people who are graduating from high school and college and will include them in the Prayers of the Church later in the service.

Each of you, whether you continue to live at home, get a job, set up housekeeping on your own or head off to college/grad school, will have a new beginning. Like the rest of us, as you continue your journey of life, you will enjoy many new beginnings - perhaps, one each day. You will have many opportunities to take the easy road - ignore what needs to be done, refuse to witness to your faith, leave prayer and praise of God behind and escape the Gospel challenges of your lives. Rest assured, God will forgive you and offer other new beginnings farther down the road.

But, if you want to experience true joy, follow the example of Paul and Silas. Be awake to opportunities around you to serve God. Stand up for what is right and God pleasing, and do what you must to carry forward the Kingdom of God. When difficulties arise - even frightening or painful ones - draw on your faith, and continue to relate to God with prayer and in worship. Most of all, even if you find yourself imprisoned in some situation that seems to offer no hope, cling to God. He will show you the path to yet another new beginning.

We have another cause for celebration today too. We could justifiably say that Terry and Sandy along with Dylan have experienced a miraculous new beginning. About a year ago, this now big and healthy little boy was very ill. Because he was going to the hospital with prognosis unknown, we had a somewhat hurried baptism here at our Saturday evening service. Because of the shortness of time to arrange for the baptism Dylan had no sponsors. Though that baptism was perfectly valid and will not be repeated, we rejoice with the family and Dylan’s sponsors as we publicly recognize that baptism and acknowledge our responsibility to help Sandy and Terry raise Dylan in the faith.

Terry and Sandy, you and your family endured a kind of trial that I’m sure was as painful to you as what Paul and Silas endured. You did cling to your faith and God, in His mercy, granted you a new beginning with Dylan. We pray that God will continue to bless Dylan with good health and your whole family with a deep and abiding faith.

While no doubt Paul and Silas were able to tell the members of the jailer’s family the essentials of the good news, there was surely no time to give them the thorough knowledge they would need for their faith to grow and mature. It would be the responsibility of the head of the household to see that their education and connection with a faith community went on.

Likewise, it is and will be your duty and privilege to see that both of your children are supported in their faith development - that they are brought to Sunday school and church, that they are given instruction for receiving holy communion and affirmation of their baptisms, that they take time for prayer and that they are encouraged to speak of their faith in Jesus as part of normal conversation.

You will be helped in this by your sponsors and the people of St. Paul’s, but ultimately it is up to you. Use every opportunity to remind your children how God saved them through Christ and that nothing they ever do is beyond His forgiveness. Be their best examples in witness and service. Remind them that even if something in their lives makes them feel like they are in the darkest cell of prison, God will always be with them and help them through. And most of all, lead them in rejoicing at the new beginning God gives them each day through their baptism into Christ.

Blessings to you all. Amen.