Acts 10:28-47: Hearing the Good News
Friday, May 3, 2024
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.
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