today's psalm is Psalm 138
The dramatic earthquake at midnight that freed Paul and Silas is a metaphor for the power of the Resurrection of Christ. Just as Jesus, in His ministry, preached, healed and raise from the dead - so in the Acts of the Apostles the apostles an disciples of Jesus do the same. A basic message is being communicated here - the work of preaching Jesus Christ in the early church cannot be deterred, despite all the obstacles placed in the way.
How does this happen? Jesus tells us in today's gospel - through the Holy Spirit, the Advocate. Working with and inspired by the Holy Spirit, the early church will prove the world wrong about sin and judgment. The Spirit will give them a strength, a zeal, and a wisdom the world cannot give.
We too rely on the Spirit in so many ways. In less than 2 weeks we again celebrate that first coming of the Spirit with Pentecost. The early church needed the Spirit. We need the Spirit. So we pray, Veni, sancte Spiritus!