We reflect on the story of the early apostles (Acts 5) as they remain faithful to Christ while suffering and rejoicing with equal energy and passion. When we open ourselves to God’s generosity, we come away refreshed and encouraged with the news that when we respond to the call to do God’s work, we know that we quickly find God in the obstacles that surround us. We know that we are Rocks in company with Peter; we know that we can serve as foundations of the living temple; we see that we are able confront corrupt authority; we can rejoice in our suffering to bringing truth and light to the world.
When we reflect on this story, we understand that a small group of the faithful, through the power and love of the risen Christ, successfully challenges the old guard. We realize that the Sadducees are afraid to order a sentence of death on these Jesus-followers because they fear the people will revolt. They fear the power of the Spirit.
There is irony in this story. Those who inflict fear on others eventually experience fear themselves. This we see the power of the Spirit unfold, rising from fear to bring us peace. This,we begin to understand, is the gift of salvific suffering.
And so today we ask ourselves, what do we fear, and why?
Tomorrow, how do we suffer with Christ?
Adapted from a Favorite written in November 10, 2007.
When we spend time opening Acts 5, and when we watch and listen to Peter, we discover how we might apply The Word to our lives.
We watch the apostles slip unseen from their prison, moving through locked gates and past watchful guards.
Do we ask Christ to open doors and safeguard us? Do we trust the Spirit who calls us?
The apostles go immediately to the Temple to proclaim the wonderful news that they were able to heal in Jesus’ name, the name of the man whom they taunted a few short weeks before as he hung on the cross.
Do we share with others the Good News of Christ’s movement in our lives? Do we celebrate our small victories and rejoice in the Spirit’s healing?
We follow the apostles as they brilliantly and boldly – and in every way like Christ – reply to the Sadducees that they cannot still their tongues or cease healing. We hear them defy this wealthy group of men who collaborate with the Romans and supervise the rebuilding of the stone Temple.
Do we react with courage when others accuse us unjustly? Do we trust the Spirit to send us her wisdom and grace?
We hear the apostles as they witness to Christ when they say – as we all are called to say: Whether it is right in the sight of God, you be the judges. It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard.
Do we speak as these apostles speak? Do we listen as these apostles listen? Do we act as these apostles act?
Today we spend time with The Word as we learn how to celebrate our mourning.
This is a beautiful idea that reminds us that we are called to be living stones in the living temple of Christ. The letters of Peter are full of wonderfully good advice about how to build a Christian community and this is no surprise. Peter is The Rock on whom Christ builds his church. Peter denied Christ three times during the Passion, as Christ himself predicted, but he bridges any gap he had created by following Christ so ardently. Today we examine Peter’s suffering to learn how we might also learn to suffer well.
Studying The Acts of the Apostles slowly is refreshing if we can give ourselves the space and time to reflect deliberately and carefully on the story of the passion with which the first Christians feel Christ’s presence after his death. When we believe ourselves to be in dire straits, we really only need turn to this story. It reveals so much about the hope we called to live joyfully.
In Chapter 5, Ananais and Sapphira are struck dead by the Lord for withholding the gifts given to them. We hear about the second trial and imprisonment of the apostles, their mystical release by the angel of God, and rabbi Gamaliel’s wise argument to let the apostles go with a flogging – rather than execution – because if their work comes from God, you will be able to destroy them; you may even find yourself fighting against God.
At the end of this chapter we see the apostles return to their community and we find them rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name. And all day long, both at the temple and in their homes, they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the Messiah, Jesus – even though the authorities warn them to cease healing in Jesus’ name.
Today we reflect on our opportunities to suffer as early church members did. We examine the zeal with which we carry out our own story of Christ’s hope and resurrection. We explore the choices we see in Acts 5 as we consider the words of Peter. And we begin to understand that we are each free to choose if and how we will suffer well.
Peter exhorts the early Christians to regard their persecution as a blessing, and today’s Noontimereading describes how those in community bear with one another, how they celebrate their diverse gifts, and how they are to stand on God’s authority rather than their own. Peter calls his flock to mutual understanding, forbearance, purity and love. And he also calls us today.
God of Abraham, God of Peter, we say that we are willing to serve your purposes, the purposes for which you have designed us. Help us to keep faith with your hope in us. We know that we are wonderfully made, and that you have plans for us – plans for our joy and not our woe.
God of Abraham, God of Peter, we know that our fellow travelers are also wonderfully made. We also know that when we walk together, you call on us to bring forth the best in one another. Help us to be open to our fellow pilgrims as we journey toward you. Help us to remember that in the life of the Spirit there is always an opportunity for a new beginning.
God of Abraham, God of Peter, bless us, hear our petitions, heal us, bind us together in you. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
We have spent the week with Peter, recalling his turnings and re-turnings to the Lord. Watching as he examines his true self to bring a transformed heart to Christ. We see how Peter allows his suffering and trust in the Spirit to set him free. Today we reflect on his words to see how he handles scoffers, naysayers, and rumors that the world as we know it is coming to an end. Today we spend one day with the Lord, remembering God’s goodness, Christ’s redemption and the Spirit’s healing consolation.
For one day with the Lord is like as a thousand years, and a thousand years is as one day. (2 Peter 3:8)
Better is one day in your courts [O Lord] than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. (Psalm 84:10)
James Tissot: Second Denial of Peter
The Lord does not delay in God’s promises, but for your sake is long-suffering, not wishing that you should perish but that all should return to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)
For God so loved the world that God gave God’s one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.For God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:16-17)
The day of the Lord will come as a thief. (2 Peter 3:10)
But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? (Matthew 24:43-45)
James Tissot: Third Denial of Peter
Therefore, beloved, while you look for these things, endeavor to be found by him without spot and blameless in peace . . . Therefore, since you know this beforehand, be on your guard lest, carried away by the error of the foolish, you fall away from your own steadfastness. (2 Peter 3:17)
In this Eastertide, let us listen to the words very likely written by a follower of Peter. Let us sit with the words of the psalmist, and of the apostles Matthew and John. Let us take them into our fiber and being and vow to live each day in Christ as if it were the one and only day given to us to be lived with the Lord. Let us consider these words for what they are – an Easter gift that warms the hardened heart, and turns all harm to good.
And so beloved, grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. To him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. (2 Peter 3:18)
James Tissot: Feed My Lambs The Risen Christ and Peter
On this fourth Sunday after the miracle of Easter, we thank Peter for his honesty and courage. And we determine to follow in his way.
Adapted from a Favorite written during Advent 2010 as we considered Jesus as a Christmas miracle and gift. Today we reflect on how Peter’s words brings to us the resurrected Christ as God’s promise of salvation fulfilled.
We frequently spend time with Peter’s letters at TheNoontimes. For more reflections, enter Peter’s name in to the blog search bar and explore.
Spending time with Peter’s sermons, we find that, filled with the Spirit, he raises his voice. We find that step-by-step, and trusting God’s voice, he delivers the message of Good News. And as if to prove that God loves us with great power and fidelity, God releases the faithful servant from prison. We read the miracle of Peter’s escape from prison and ask ourselves . . . Why do we so often doubt that God can do great things for us?
Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his wrists.
We read the miracle of Peter’s escape from prison and ask ourselves . . . Why do we so often doubt that God releases us from the chains that bind our lives?
The angel said to him, “Fasten your belt and put on your sandals.” He did so. Then he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.”
We read the miracle of Peter’s escape from prison and ask ourselves . . . Why do we so often fear following the angels God sends to us?
Peter went out and followed him; he did not realize that what was happening with the angel’s help was real; he thought he was seeing a vision.
We read the miracle of Peter’s escape from prison and ask ourselves . . . Why do we so often ascribe God’s intercession to coincidental circumstances?
After they had passed the first and the second guard, they came before the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went outside and walked along a lane, when suddenly the angel left him.
We read the miracle of Peter’s escape from prison and ask ourselves . . . Why do we so often balk at moving through the doors and gates God opens for us?
When morning came, there was no small commotion among the soldiers over what had become of Peter.
We read the miracle of Peter’s escape from prison and ask ourselves . . . Why do we so often deny the commotion that takes place in our lives when God intercedes for us?
When we use the scripture link and drop-down menus to explore this sermon, we allow ourselves to consider the small and great commotions God makes in our lives. And we determine to share the Good News of our redemption with the world.
Then Peter began to explain it to them, step by step.
Step-by-step God works with Peter until the faithful servant hears and follows the call. Step-by-step God works with each of us until we do the same.
But a second time the voice answered from heaven.
Opportunity recycles and returns to us. The more we ignore God’s voice, the more often God returns to speak to us. The louder the voice, the more forceful the call. We have only to open our eyes, ears, minds and hearts.
The Spirit told me to go with them and not to make a distinction between them and us.
Step-by-step God works with us until we understand and act on the call to come together despite our differences.
“Send to Joppa and bring Simon, who is called Peter; he will give you a message by which you and your entire household will be saved.’And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as it had upon us at the beginning”.
New openings return to us, never leaving even one lost sheep behind. The more we resist, the stronger the pull. Peter steps beyond his wildest dreams to comfort and save an entire world. Peter steps into our lives to change us forever.
Tomorrow, Peter walks out of prison.
When we use the scripture link and drop-down menus to explore this sermon, we allow ourselves to take in the Spirit. We allow change to enter into our hearts . . . and live there always.
God is the creator of both space and time. God is in charge. God creates humans in God’s image. God loves all of creation. God creates us in, for and through love. God loves us very much. This is good news indeed.
Today we read about Peter’s meeting with Cornelius, a Roman centurion living in Caesarea, Palestine. Today we focus not on the fact that this well-positioned, powerful man turns away from paganism to live in Christ; rather, we reflect on God’s desire to break down walls between nations and philosophies. Today we watch Peter put aside his Jewish restrictions and prejudices in order to meet, speak with, and even seek union with a man who represents repression to the Jewish nation. And finally, we focus on God’s desire for union and community with each of us . . . with all of us . . . and not an elite few.
We meditate on Peter’s words in verse 28: God has shown me that I should not call anyone profane or unclean.
Can we imagine a world in which our enemies become our close associates?
We spend time with Cornelius’ account of hearing God’s words in verse 31: Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God.
Can we imagine a world in which we heed God’s message of healing and love?
We remember Peter’s understanding of God’s love in verses 34-35: I truly understand that God shows no partiality,but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.
Can we imagine a world in which we are both recipients and vehicles of God’s miracles?
Like Peter and Cornelius, once we hear God’s words and understand their meaning, we also come to know these truths: We are witnesses to the loving action of God in our lives, we are called to minister to all of God’s people, and we are the vessels of God’s Holy Spirit in the world.
This is marvelous news indeed. These are wonderful truths undeniably. This is Good New we want to both receive and share.
When we use the scripture link and drop-down menus to explore this sermon, we allow ourselves to share the Good News that the Holy Spirit is with us.
Tomorrow, Peter’s fifth sermon following Pentecost.
Peter and John heal a crippled beggar (Acts 3) and when the crowd erupts with wonder, they explain that the miracle takes place only throughthem, and not because of them. It is the Messiah, crucified earlier, who brings about this marvelous cure. (See yesterday’s Noontime.) The commotion brings attention from the authorities who arrest the pair. Peter and John find themselves in prison, and finally they stand before the Sanhedrin. The authorities ask, “By what power or by what name did you do this?”
Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, let it be known 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.
There is no doubt that these words shock his listeners, but Peter further explains, “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.”
If we read more of this story, we find that this series of events brings more followers to this small community. If we reflect on this story, we discover the marvel of God’s love and the power of Christ’s authority. If we pray with this story, we discover that we too, are filled with the healing presence of the Holy Spirit. What miracles might we bring to others when we allow ourselves to be conduits of God’s love?
Tomorrow, Peter’s fourth sermon following Pentecost.
When we use the scripture link and drop-down menus to explore this sermon, we allow ourselves to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
The Noontimes 