The Word
Source: Acts of the Apostles 3:13-15, 17-19
(Some short time after the gift of the Holy Spirit, Peter and John went to the temple, as was their custom, to pray. While there, they cured a man who was crippled – raising him up in the name of Jesus. A great commotion followed, a crowd gathered and this is the story.)
13 [Peter spoke out:]
The God of Abraham, [the God] of Isaac, and [the God] of Jacob, the God of our ancestors, has glorified his servant Jesus whom you handed over and denied in Pilate’s presence, when he had decided to release him.
14 You denied the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you.
15 The author of life you put to death, but God raised him from the dead; of this we are witnesses.
16 And by faith in his name, this man, whom you see and know, his name has made strong, and the faith that comes through it has given him this perfect health, in the presence of all of you.
17 Now I know, brothers, that you acted out of ignorance, just as your leaders did.
18 but God has thus brought to fulfillment what he had announced beforehand through the mouth of all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer.
19 Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be wiped away.
A REFLECTION
The Acts of the Apostles is quite a vivid presentation of what happened in the early days of the Church. The timid and fearful fishermen of Galilee are now strong and speak out. The gift of the Holy Spirit gave them knowledge and wisdom and courage. In the first chapters of the Acts, we see all that happened, what all the apostles went through – first to bring the good news to the Jewish people, the people of the Covenant. Sadly, they fail. Then, inspired by the Holy Spirit, they will move on, and bring God’s good news of love and forgiveness and redemption to those who are not of the Jewish faith.
Peter and Paul will be the point persons designated by the Lord Jesus himself. Peter having received his commission from the Lord during the years of training and preparation and at the Last Supper and at the great commission given at the end of the Gospels. Paul, in a very different way, would also receive his commission from the Lord Jesus in a very unique moment of blindness on the road to Damascus. Paul did not know the Jesus of the apostles; he only knew the Risen One from that personal experience and from the continuing work of the Holy Spirit in his life.
I think is very important to read the Acts of the Apostles. How the early Church progressed to the preaching of those entrusted with the knowledge and faith in Jesus Christ. Peter and Paul are the first among these.
We are those who are being taught – we are the Gentiles, not inheritors of the old testament. We are the new people of God. We truly thank Peter and Paul and so many after them, even to this very day, who brought to us and continue to bring to us the Good News of Jesus the Christ.
ALLELUIA!
MY PRAYER
Look at the picture again – Peter’s style is so simple –
Would you listen to him? Would you pay attention to him?Recall the events of just two or so weeks ago –
Recall the reading on Good Friday – what did the people cry out?
If you have been there and the place of Pilate – what would you have cried out?Consider this carefully – Where do I stand – what do I say?
Where am I standing now – what am I saying?
Where do I want to stand – what do I want to say?
Jesus – your Cross is my salvation – I believe, I repent, I desire to you live your life for others –
I ask, dear Jesus, that you will help carry my cross I ask that you give me joy and fullness of life – Thank you, Jesus, Thank You!