Peter Brave

A Reflection on the First Reading for Sunday, April 14th, 2024:
Third Sunday of Easter

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Acts
​3.13-15, 17-19

​When the rulers, elders, and scribes saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized them as companions of Jesus. When they saw the man who had been cured standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. So they ordered Peter and John to leave the council while they discussed the matter with one another.

They said, “What will we do with them? For it is obvious to all who live in Jerusalem that a notable sign has been done through them; we cannot deny it. But to keep it from spreading further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.”

So they called the two apostles and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge; for we cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

After threatening them again, they let them go, finding no way to punish them because of the people, for all of them praised God for what had happened.

Pause. Pray. Reflect.

Wow Peter. Way to call the people out! 

At first glance this passage is harsh — but instigating the crucifixion of our Lord is harsh. In spite of this, and the fact that the people could have called for Peter’s crucifixion, Peter calls the people out for their treatment of Jesus. Brave.

Have you ever been called out on something you did? In reflecting on the First Reading for this Sunday, a slideshow played in my mind of instances where I found myself called out by my own “Peters” — sometimes by strangers or acquaintances and, at other times, by people who knew me well. I reacted differently, depending on who was calling me out. When it was someone I knew, it hurt. But it caused me to pause and really consider what I had done. When it was someone less familiar to me, I acted offended, often thinking, “How dare they?!”

But in looking at the scripture again and reading just a little further, I see there is more to the story. In fact the continuation of the last verse (not included) goes on to say, “[S]o that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” As Peter calls out the people of Jerusalem, he also tells them that God wants to have a relationship with them — even after they “killed the Author of Life” (Acts 3.15). Peter is being brave, and inviting others to be brave too. 

I was always a timid rather than a brave kid. Whether it was my school work, a craft activity, sport, or board game, I wanted to do it right. And I would not act unless I could do it  well — perfectly well. When I didn’t reach that standard, I often felt disappointed, unworthy, embarrassed or, usually, a combination of all three. Sometimes I am still the “kid” that wants this perfection in all I do.  But since I don’t know everything (nor should I), how can I possibly expect to get it right all the time? And still, sometimes when someone calls me out, the emotions I felt as a child bubble up to the surface in full force. However, as in the First Reading, there is more to the story. In recognizing where I have done wrong or made a poor choice, I can hold on to that wound or I can respond to the calling out as a moment of learning and be “Peter brave.” 

Peter’s bravery, rooted in Christ, impacted a people — past, present, and future.  We know Christ today because of Peter and the community of disciples that developed after him. As a community of Christ’s disciples in today’s world we too need to be brave enough to call each other out, not in a way that causes embarrassment or offence (like being called out by someone unknown to us) but rather as an act of willing and wanting good for our brothers and sisters in Christ. 

Be Peter brave! ​


Aurea Sadi

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