Meditation for 8 August 2006

Acts 3:1-11

 

What do we expect?  What do we have to give?

 

As Peter and John were going up to the temple to pray, they encountered a man who was lame from birth.  The man asked them for alms.  "And Peter directed his gaze at him, with John, and said, 'Look at us.'  And he fixed his attention upon them, expecting to receive something from them.  But Peter said, 'I have no silver and gold, but I give you what I have; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.' And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.  And leaping up he stood and walked and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God."

 

Sometimes we expect something and what we are expecting is not nearly enough - God gives us even more than we expect.  I am reminded of that part of the Collect for Proper 22, which reads, "Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve..." (BCP, p. 234) 

 

The lame man was expecting some money.  What he got was a total physical healing, and his life was changed forever.

 

And on the giving side... I believe that we are to share of our wealth with those who are in need.  Part of the way we do that is by sharing our money.  But we also are to share whatever it is that we have to offer.  In this case, Peter shared with the lame man in two ways. 1) He was fully present with him.  Peter and John noticed the man.  They did not ignore him and walk right on by.  We are told that "Peter directed his gaze at him."  2) Peter shared his faith in Christ with the man.  And, interestingly enough, he did it as much in deed as he did in words.  Yes, he said, "...in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk."  But he also moved toward the man, grabbed his hand, and lifted him up.  Peter's faith in Christ was demonstrated by the actions that he took.  This was definitely a strong faith statement by Peter, in effect saying, "I know that Jesus will give you what you really need."  And his movements - what he did with the lame man - demonstrated his faith.

 

All of us who profess faith in Christ have this kind of faith to share with others.

 

Perhaps you can pray this prayer with me:

 

Help me to do what Peter did, Lord!  Help me to share my faith in You!  Help me to speak highly of you, and give you the praise and the honor that you deserve.  But also help me to live and do those things that point to You.  In all that I do - in what I say but especially in my deeds - may I proclaim your love, your strength, your wisdom, your faithfulness.  May I share with others the good news - the blessings - that come from knowing you.  Help me to "proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ." (BCP, p. 305, from The Baptismal Covenant)  Amen.