Acts 3:1-10
Does anyone really notice in this reading that the Apostles, post resurrection now, are still going to the temple to pray? These guys are Jewish and faithful. Something that seems to elude a great many people, especially today. It wasn't until some time later that the disciples are either thrown out of the temple for good or they decide that the message of Jesus truly is a new message to all of God's creation. Certainly their intent was to stay Jewish. There are opinions that Christianity in essence really is a sect of Judaism. In it's core beliefs that may very well be true. There are still many similarities even in the services but with the passing of time and the onset of 'traditions' and focus on Rome and pageantry, there seems to be very little resemblance. As interesting as these musings are, there is truly a great message buried in this reading.
Peter says, I have no silver or gold. What Peter and John offer however, what Jesus offers us is something that money cannot buy. In this case is was the power of faith and Jesus to cure a man. But what it really comes down to is the power of faith and Jesus in our lives. It is quite interesting to me to make that point that it is not a gift of money. Money is not the answer. Money can help for sure, this is how the lame man made ends meet - alms for the poor? But it striking to me to make the point that Peter says he has no money. Money so often gets in the way of what is truly important.
Does money get in the way of what is really important to you - your eternal soul? When you don't have enough money it may seem to have some kind of increased power over you. It's importance and your concern to have it may be magnified. Let's face it, we have to eat and have a roof over our head. But even so, we run the danger or risk of not realizing that money alone will not make us happy, cure us or keep us well when we die. What's the line? "there ain't no hearses with luggage racks?"
True happiness comes from Jesus who wants us to be ourselves, be happy with the person God made to grow and blossom. This isn't a "praise Jesus!" pie in the sky faith. Being yourself, loving yourself, sharing yourself with the rest of God's created world is not a simple task. But, it is a task that does not require money and it is a task that offers you eternal happiness and will cure you of all that ails you. And yes, Praise Jesus!
Does anyone really notice in this reading that the Apostles, post resurrection now, are still going to the temple to pray? These guys are Jewish and faithful. Something that seems to elude a great many people, especially today. It wasn't until some time later that the disciples are either thrown out of the temple for good or they decide that the message of Jesus truly is a new message to all of God's creation. Certainly their intent was to stay Jewish. There are opinions that Christianity in essence really is a sect of Judaism. In it's core beliefs that may very well be true. There are still many similarities even in the services but with the passing of time and the onset of 'traditions' and focus on Rome and pageantry, there seems to be very little resemblance. As interesting as these musings are, there is truly a great message buried in this reading.
Peter says, I have no silver or gold. What Peter and John offer however, what Jesus offers us is something that money cannot buy. In this case is was the power of faith and Jesus to cure a man. But what it really comes down to is the power of faith and Jesus in our lives. It is quite interesting to me to make that point that it is not a gift of money. Money is not the answer. Money can help for sure, this is how the lame man made ends meet - alms for the poor? But it striking to me to make the point that Peter says he has no money. Money so often gets in the way of what is truly important.
Does money get in the way of what is really important to you - your eternal soul? When you don't have enough money it may seem to have some kind of increased power over you. It's importance and your concern to have it may be magnified. Let's face it, we have to eat and have a roof over our head. But even so, we run the danger or risk of not realizing that money alone will not make us happy, cure us or keep us well when we die. What's the line? "there ain't no hearses with luggage racks?"
True happiness comes from Jesus who wants us to be ourselves, be happy with the person God made to grow and blossom. This isn't a "praise Jesus!" pie in the sky faith. Being yourself, loving yourself, sharing yourself with the rest of God's created world is not a simple task. But, it is a task that does not require money and it is a task that offers you eternal happiness and will cure you of all that ails you. And yes, Praise Jesus!
One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, at three o’clock in the afternoon. And a man lame from birth was being carried in. People would lay him daily at the gate of the temple called the Beautiful Gate so that he could ask for alms from those entering the temple. When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked them for alms. Peter looked intently at him, as did John, and said, ‘Look at us.’ And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, ‘I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk.’ And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. Jumping up, he stood and began to walk, and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. All the people saw him walking and praising God, and they recognized him as the one who used to sit and ask for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
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