Paul was under house arrest for two years in Rome (Acts 28:16, 30). Before that, he was in prison for two additional years (Acts 24:27). Prior to that, he was in prison several other times (see 2 Cor 11:23). Trial, distress, persecution, hunger, nakedness, danger, and the sword made it very difficult for Paul to preach the Gospel (Rm 8:35). Nevertheless, the last word of Acts of the Apostles is that Paul "preached God's kingdom with full assurance and without any hindrance" (Acts 28:31, our transl).

Jesus is God and therefore infinite. If the Apostle John had written about the many other things Jesus had done in a few short years on this earth, he doubted "there would be room enough in the entire world to hold the books to record them" (Jn 21:25). Because Jesus is infinite and because we are in Him, we are unstoppable — no matter how many human limitations we have and how great are the obstacles we face. We are unhindered because He is infinite.

We enter into the infinity and victory of God by the power of the Holy Spirit. In one Spirit we have been baptized into the one Body of Christ (1 Cor 12:13). On this last day of the Pentecost Novena, pray: "Come, infinite Spirit transcending our finitude and making us free, unhindered, and victorious."

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 12, 2017

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