Peter in Chains, Antonio de Bellis, (1600)

I went through the recent book lists from the New York Times the other day and as far as I can judge religion is off the charts. It’s not mentioned in the media. People are leaving the churches. You might say religion has been put in jail, like the apostles in our reading from Acts yesterday. (Acts 5: 17-21) and Peter later (Acts 12: 1-19).

Peter’s release from his chains is a dramatic narrative. He’s not only freed from prison but heads out to Caesarea where another dramatic event occurs: the conversion of the Roman solider Cornelius and his household. The gospel is received by the Roman world.

The Word of God can’t be chained and banished from society. It will be unchained. God will give it new power over human hearts and minds.

I made a virtual pilgrimage to the church of St. Peter in Chains these days and saw the chains from Jerusalem and Rome. They’re signs something’s coming.