Read Acts 3:1-10, Ps. 105:1-4,6-9, Luke 24:13-35
“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.” (Acts 3:6-7)
I once told someone who begged for my assistance: “I don’t have money right now, but know that I am praying for you.” The person hissed and said: “Am I going to eat the prayer?” What he didn’t know was that prayer is more powerful than money. Just as God instructed Moses to speak to the rock to produce water, we only need to have faith to believe that we can speak to our situation in prayer and that things would change.
In our first reading today, the lame man at the Beautiful Gate begged Peter and John for alms because he believed they has some money on them. Peter, who sincerely did not have any money on him prayed for the lame man and God restored his feet. It is interesting to note that by this time, Peter who once denied knowing Jesus knew exactly what he had – Peter knew he had the power of faith.
The question today is: “Do I know what I have?” Yes, if I know what I have, why am I so worried about where the next meal would come from or where I would get money to do this or that? Jesus once said: “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.” (Matthew 6:31-33)
If you know what you have, you would not get involved in sin just to make money or provide for your family. You know that you only need to pray like Peter and God will bless the works of your hands and reward your sweat with success.
If you know what you have, you wouldn’t be like the two disciples who were walking away from Jerusalem in disappointment. They had thought Jesus came to establish an earthly kingdom, they were expecting political power and so could not understand why even after the resurrection of Jesus, everything remained as before. They didn’t even recognize Jesus when he met them on the way. As Jesus spoke to them, their hearts burned within them but it was at the breaking of them that their eyes were opened.
The two disciples quickly realized that there was something far greater than the earthly kingdoms (political power) they were hoping for. They realized they had been called to a greater mission; to evangelize the whole world, to build God’s kingdom on earth. That very night, they left everything behind and returned to Jerusalem. If God opens your eyes to know what you have, your life will not remain the same again.
Let us pray: Heavenly Father, open my eyes to really see what I have. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. (Easter Wednesday. Bible Study: Acts 3:1-10, Ps. 105:1-4,6-9, Luke 24:13-35.)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu