Posted by Paul Edwards (Fr. Paul) on Dec 03, 2010 | Comments (0)


It Is Hard To Kick Against The Spikes

Acts 9:4,5 On his way to Damascus to persecute the Church, St. Paul had an encounter with Jesus. Jesus said, “Saul why are you persecuting me. I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the spikes.” In those days when they had to break a jackass that would dangerously kick out at anyone, they would put a basket like contraption about its neck and over its’ rear end. At the end were two spikes embedded in the basket and pointed at the backside of the jackass. People would gather to see the sight. The jackass would kick stretching its body with its forelegs entrenched in the ground and its hind legs spread out and in the air. The spikes would cut into the backside. It would infuriate the jackass who again and again would kick out goaded on by the laughing crowd. Finally exhausted, bruised and bleeding it would have to stop.

Jesus was using this as an illustration of what Paul looked like when he was following the law by judging others. When we finally stop kicking against the spikes, we open ourselves to the grace of God. Today this can be a reminder to us. It is like when we are out of the grace and in the law, kicking against the spikes as opposed to realizing the difference it makes when we surrender to judging others and open our hearts to live in the grace and Love of God.


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