21 April 2024 4th Sunday of Easter
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.
From Acts 4:8-12, NRSV
Just before making this speech, Peter had healed a lame man in the name of Jesus. He and John had been arrested by the Jewish authorities who wanted to suppress the preaching and actions of the apostles. Peter’s bold response made it clear that the life of Jesus could not be suppressed. In the name of Jesus, he and the other apostles were able to work the same sorts of miracles as Jesus – they healed people, raised the dead, forgave sinners and spread the Good News. All who have been baptised in the name of Jesus have the task of continuing his work. As St. Teresa of Avila so famously said, “Christ has no body now on earth but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on this world. Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good. Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world.”
- What do you think enabled Peter to answer his accusers so boldly?
- How have you experienced God’s work being achieved through others?
Choose a way in which you can be Christ’s hands, feet or eyes for someone else today.
