While visiting parts of Brazil or the Dominican Republic, I was often reminded of the scene in the Acts of the Apostles, as I witnessed people in need seeking help as I was walking in and out of various churches.
I could visualize Peter and John meeting the disabled man on their way to the temple for the three o’clock prayer. Neither gave the man any coins, however they said something to him that stayed with me as I continued reading this Scripture. They told the man in need that they had neither silver nor gold - but what they had to give was Jesus Christ.
How many of us would feel comfortable saying this to a beggar, or for that matter anyone? What does it mean to possess Jesus Christ in this manner? How can a person be so self-assured that they possess Jesus and want to share him with others? I had to ask myself if I possessed him; how do I possess him?
Peter used the occasion to preach to the crowd, that out of ignorance people put the author of life to death, but that God raised him from the dead. Peter told the crowd that it was Jesus Christ who restore a man to health. It was the power of Jesus’ name that could give a man perfect health.
Peter asked the crowd, why were they looking at him as though he had something to do with it? But he did have something to do with it. Both he and John were ablaze with the person of Jesus Christ and possessed the fire of Christ in them.
Recently in a conversation with a brother priest, we talked about our experience of Holy Week, the return of the faithful - and yet how some have still not returned to the sacraments and may well not return. Was there something we could be doing? We both agreed that maybe new programs could help but what programs? Is it even about new programs?
We concluded that Peter and John had something to teach us: namely seek to possess Jesus Christ in our lives to such an extent that people will notice and want to possess him. People will notice when we speak to them from our heart, the heart of Jesus that is in us.
Peter and John were right to say, I have neither gold nor silver to give you but what I do have is yours to have as well, Jesus Christ.
