Wednesday of Easter Week

Acts 3:1-10; Psalm 104(105):1-4,6-9; Luke 24:13-35

Change. We see today a very changed Peter. He now looks intently upon the lame person, and speaking with the Lord’s love, calls for healing with full authority. Yet not so long ago, Peter had denied ever knowing the Lord, and before that, had shown no faith when Jesus had asked him to walk across the Lake to him. Matthew 14:28 "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." Matthew 14:30 But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"

What had caused this profound change in Peter? It was his encounters with Christ both before the events of Easter and subsequently (the healing above, is after Pentecost). Not one, astonishing life changing ‘road to Damascus’ moment, not a moment of sudden revelation as on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35 – today’s Gospel). No, for Peter a series of events, with some failures between – perhaps much as many of us have experienced in our lives thus far. As Peter, we too may experience Christ, through the sacraments or through each other, as a series of momentary awareness, and certainly as a series of doubts. Yet, Peter became the rock (Matthew 16:18) upon which Christ chose to build His church. And Jesus calls us to each take our part in His Body, the Church.

So when we doubt, remember that the rock on which our church is built, and the keys to the heavenly kingdom, are each held by one such as ourselves.

Posted in Daily Reflection.