Acts 4:1-12
When I was about 17 years old I had the pleasure of going on my first retreat. It went by several names, depending on how old you were. At my age it was called a "Christian Awakening". Many people knew it by it's more popular name a "Cursillo". That weekend changed my life forever. One of the side effects of the weekend however was an almost uncontrollable excitement. There was an exhuberance and a desire to tell and share what you experienced. I suppose it was not unlike a overly zealous born again Christian or perhaps a recovered alcoholic or someone who's just quit smoking. This excitement could not be contained and certainly didn't go unnoticed by the hords of unenlightened students at my high school (Catholic) or the neighboring prep seminary. It earned many of us the not so likeable appelation "CA fags". However revolting the term is, it seems oddly appropriate.
The excitement and exhuberance of those early Christians could not be contained either. There was no fear, there was pride, excitement and a desire to witness at any cost as this passage shows.
The reason I said it seems appropriate is because the excitement and exhuberance is not dissimilar to that of when you accept you are gay and come out. You are excited and proud and very often at your own personal risk, not aware of the consequences and that not everyone else may share your enthusiasm. There is a sureness, comfort and joy at knowing you are gay the way God made you. There is comfort and joy knowing you are loved and saved because Jesus died on the cross for you. These two are intertwined, having to do with acceptance of self, acceptance of love and acceptnce of salvation, they all bring joy.
When I was about 17 years old I had the pleasure of going on my first retreat. It went by several names, depending on how old you were. At my age it was called a "Christian Awakening". Many people knew it by it's more popular name a "Cursillo". That weekend changed my life forever. One of the side effects of the weekend however was an almost uncontrollable excitement. There was an exhuberance and a desire to tell and share what you experienced. I suppose it was not unlike a overly zealous born again Christian or perhaps a recovered alcoholic or someone who's just quit smoking. This excitement could not be contained and certainly didn't go unnoticed by the hords of unenlightened students at my high school (Catholic) or the neighboring prep seminary. It earned many of us the not so likeable appelation "CA fags". However revolting the term is, it seems oddly appropriate.
The excitement and exhuberance of those early Christians could not be contained either. There was no fear, there was pride, excitement and a desire to witness at any cost as this passage shows.
The reason I said it seems appropriate is because the excitement and exhuberance is not dissimilar to that of when you accept you are gay and come out. You are excited and proud and very often at your own personal risk, not aware of the consequences and that not everyone else may share your enthusiasm. There is a sureness, comfort and joy at knowing you are gay the way God made you. There is comfort and joy knowing you are loved and saved because Jesus died on the cross for you. These two are intertwined, having to do with acceptance of self, acceptance of love and acceptnce of salvation, they all bring joy.
While Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came to them, much annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming that in Jesus there is the resurrection of the dead. So they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. But many of those who heard the word believed; and they numbered about five thousand.
The next day their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. When they had made the prisoners stand in their midst, they inquired, ‘By what power or by what name did you do this?’ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, ‘Rulers of the people and elders, if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. This Jesus is
“the stone that was rejected by you, the builders;
it has become the cornerstone.”
There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.’
“the stone that was rejected by you, the builders;
it has become the cornerstone.”
There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.’
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