Many of us struggle with Facing Obstacles in our lives. Here, the Disciples of Jesus, called Apostles, are challenged to bring Salvific Message of the Lord to both the Jewish People and the Gentile Nations.
What does the word of Apostle mean? It comes the Greek word, Apostolos, which has its connection to the word Apostellein. It means, "to send forth." It is used the Greek translation of the Book of 1st Kings 14:6 as commissioned in giving good or bitter news. For the disciples, their News was Good, and life changing.
Take for example the Healing of the Lame Beggar - the message he receives from St. Peter was at the gate called Beautiful. This gate was the place the no Gentile could pass into the courts, but only an Israelite, yet he was faithful to God's blessing and waiting. No different the Jacob (Genesis 32:23-33) who wanted God's Blessing, this beggar wanted it too. Was God teaching the Israelite's their experience of the father Jacob by way of pleading beggar? How many of us see our life as beautiful in the way God sees it? His obstacle of was his legs, but his desire to be cared for by God was greater than him walking. Something that Israelite's are losing during their occupation with Rome.
It's the Gaze that St. Peter gives that makes the message that real... Silver or Gold he did not have, but Christ in his heart - that will change his life. Silver and Gold are the very gifts given to Jesus after His birth (Matt 2:11).
a. Gold is a sign, given to Jesus for His Kingship over Jerusalem and the Nations.
b. Gold is the symbolism of Christ's Authority through St. Peter as the Prime Minister of His Kingdom (Matt 16:18-20). It is Christ who works through St. Peter to give the Beggar, the New Israel, the chance to Face his Obstacle. It would set off another major conversion in the Church.
St. Peter reminds them of their history, and to return to it as means of Salvation. Their proof is in what Jesus has done for them after they had put Him to death.
Peter Heals a Lame Beggar
The Face off between the Rocks... As the Spirit worked through Sts. Peter & John, they brought five thousand people to Christ. The next day, the Sts. Peter & John, along with the Beggar were brought into the Sanhedrin to be questioned about the event. St. Peter goes to defense for the Good News of Christ - calling Him "the stone which was rejected by you builders, but which has become the cornerstone." St Peter declares that Jesus is the one who saved and healed the Beggar. It is later that the Council forces Sts Peter & John to never mention or speak about Jesus again. A New Rock has risen, and reverse the challenge to the old rock of experience of Jesus.
The Lame Beggar was forty years old... keep in mind the this number as it is a reminder of Christ who stayed in the desert for forty days, and when the Israelite's stayed in the desert for forty years. Truly, the Lame Beggar represented the People of Israel who needed God's Blessing through Jesus.
God continued to bless them to overcome their obstacles. If He can do that for them, why not for you!
Read Acts of the Apostles - Chapters 3 & 4 and Answer these Questions
1. What did St. Peter do to the Crippled Beggar? What name did he use?
2. In Chapter 3: 24-26, summarize in your own words what St. Peter said to the people?
3. What was the reaction of Caiaphas to Peter, when the Apostles were brought before the Sanhedrin?
4. What happened during the Prayer time with the Community (Chapter 4:23-31)?
5. What did the Apostles and Disciples of Jesus do for the community (Chap 4:32-37)
