Good News

A Reflection on the First Reading for April 4th, 2021:
The Solemnity of Easter Sunday

---

ACTS
10:34, 37-43

34 Then Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, 37 That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; 40 but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

Pause. Pray.

And then read more...

"That message spread..."

Just before he says this bit, Peter lays the bones of the message bare: 

"You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ — he is Lord of all." (Acts 10:36)


Underlying the Good News are two pillars. He is Peace. He is Lord. The rightful judge who died and rose for those in the dock, that they might be made whole and brought back from the brink. And built on this base is the Best News that the message comes through a people, but it is for all people. The Holy Spirit is blowing across the lives of Peter and the man who owns the land Peter is standing on as He helps them live the news of Life. Death is dead. 


Peter is preaching to a pre-primed crowd. The events that lead to this moment when Peter opens his mouth are in themselves a wonder. (Acts 10:1-33)

Cornelius the centurion has a vision. A clearly seen messenger saying there’s someone you need to talk to. The angel doesn’t speak the message, he points to Peter, says send for him. Cornelius calls two slaves and a soldier to start walking to Joppa. The next day, when they are close enough to smell the salt air and see the rooftops of the seaside town, Peter has a rooftop vision. Hungry, he dreams of food. Three times the Spirit shows him a bounty he thought he was bound not to eat. Three times he is invited to feast. Three times he protests. Three times he is abjured to see as clean what God has cleaned. Peter and his threes. Three denials, three attestations of love for his Lord, three chances to see a new thing God is doing. To join Him in it. As his vision fades, the knocking on his door grows louder. The slaves and the soldier are here, and knowing God is in this, Peter goes with them, and they walk together back to Cornelius. Four days out from his vision, Cornelius is kneeling on the ground, Peter’s dusty feet before him. Peter calls him to stand with him, telling him as they walk together into Cornelius’ homestead, that they are men together, shoulder to shoulder before God. In this quiet conversation they round a corner, and there is a crowd. Cornelius was so sure Peter would come that he had gathered an audience to hear the message he would bring.  Peter takes a breath in amazement and begins…


Now go back to our reading above, read it again hearing these words as he spoke them to a people hearing them for the first time…


… and know that every time we open our mouths to tell of Jesus, to spread this message, we are speaking to a pre-primed audience. We are walking up and joining in on a conversation already in progress between them and the Holy Spirit as He invites them to become part of the Easter people.


"We are an Easter people and Alleluia is our cry."
(St. Augustine)




Noreen Smith
​

---