A Story of Goodness and Generosity

A Reflection on the First Reading for Sunday, April 21st, 2024:
Good Shepherd Sunday

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Acts
4.7-12

​While Peter and John were speaking to the people about the resurrection of Jesus, the captain of the temple arrested them and placed them in custody.

The next day the rulers, elders and scribes assembled. When they had made the prisoners stand in their midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead.

“This Jesus is ‘the stone that was rejected by you, the builders; it has become the cornerstone.’ There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among human beings by which we must be saved.”

Pause. Pray. Reflect.

Where Peter stands is in the middle of the story.


Before this proclamation, 

There was a baby born lame
    Growing to a man needing to be carried
    Relying on the goodness of others for movement
    Relying on the generosity of other to eat
    Waiting and working at the Beautiful Gate,
        an entrance to the temple holding God’s presence

There are Peter and John about to enter
    Looking intently at the lame beggar
    Calling him to return the gaze
    Speaking to the need Peter sees, rather than the one heard 
        “I can’t give you what we don’t have, and you don’t need
         I can give to you out of the goodness and generosity
            given to me, the goodness and generosity of God
         In the name of Jesus, stand and walk
            Rely on His goodness, and you will move
            Rely on His generosity and you will enter His presence”     
    
There is the man standing
    Relying on God’s goodness and generosity
    Going with them into the temple
    Loudly 
    Exuberantly jumping
    Praising God

There are people in the temple
    Hurrying to the call of unexpected joy
    Discovering something more shocking
        than a man born lame leaping as he lifts up God’s name
    Finding in Peter’s words 
        they have killed the Author of Life
        God has raised Him from the dead
        He is so extremely alive that His name itself heals
    Seeing their own ignorance
    Hearing an invitation
        into repentance given by Goodness
        into refreshing in the presence of Generosity
    Running by the thousands to follow Jesus

There are people in power
    Fearing that someone else is confronting and inviting 
    Fearing the proclamation of refreshing, restoration, and resurrection         
        residing in Jesus
    Controlling the narrative
    Arresting Peter and John 
    Confronting with a challenge
         “By what power or by what name did you do this?”



In this proclamation, 

There is Peter
    Confirming that they are reacting
         to an act of goodness and generosity
    Clarifying that this restoration to health comes in Jesus’ name         
    Confronting them with their own ignorance that led to His cross 
    Codifying the path to salvation clearly for them
        “Jesus … there is no other name.”


After this proclamation, 
There are rulers who are amazed
    Recognizing an out-of-place boldness in fishermen
    Being silenced at the reality of the restoration 
        standing before them on two legs
    Conferring privately
    Concluding that this is true 
        and must therefore be stopped
    Choosing not to follow the Author of Life
        but shore up their own shaky authority
    Commanding the Apostles to stop inviting people into 
                the refreshing
                the restoration 
                the resurrection in Jesus’ name

There are Peter and John answering with a question 
    Inviting the rulers to realize what they are choosing
        “What should we do, listen to your authority or God’s?”
    Inviting them to let go of control, to let go of fear
    Hearing their refusal, and their threats
    
There are the followers of Jesus who gather
    Storming heaven
    Asking not for safety, but for boldness
    
There is God Who answers
    Shaking the room
    Pouring Himself out and into them

There are you and me who stand in the goodness and generosity of God
    Hearing His word
    Receiving His Spirit
    Saying His name, Jesus

Peter, and you and me, standing in the middle of a story still happening.




​Noreen Smith​

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