Gospel Reflections for April 17 2015
St. Peter converts thousands
Peter gives a single speech about Jesus in the First Reading and over 3000 people rush to be baptized! How did that happen? Was he that good?
I have studied that speech for some time trying to discover the secret to his success. Wouldn’t we all like to be that effective in persuading people to change! Parents with children, managers with employees, and coaches who want to inspire athletes. Think of what you could do in your business or family if you could easily persuade them to your idea. How can just a few words from St. Peter make such a difference?
It is hard to tell from just reading the text. All we have are his words written on the pages of the Gospel. We do not how he spoke or with what emotion or behavior.
The key to understanding his success is to focus on what happened just before his speech. He had been hiding in a locked room with about a hundred other disciples fearful of being captured by the same people who put Jesus to death. Even though they had all seen the resurrected Jesus they were still afraid of those who had put Him to death. What made the difference?
On Pentecost Sunday the Holy Spirit came upon them all as tongues fire. The Holy Spirit brought new energy to them that changed everything. They burst out of the room where they were hiding and went straight toward the crowd they had earlier feared! St. Peter and the rest spoke boldly about their experience of Jesus.
What kind of person “bursts out” of a fear filled room? …Only a person who is “on fire” with faith and love. They felt the same love that Jesus had for all people. They burst out of that room with great energy to show that same love …for the crowd outside!
The crowd immediately felt St. Peter’s love for them. That is why they changed. If you sense that someone has your best interests at heart then you are more likely to pay attention and follow what you hear. The crowd did, and 3000 converted to follow Christ.
The very purpose of Christian conversion is for other people’s lasting happiness. St. Peter believed that meeting Jesus would make their lives happier.
It is not enough for us to be just energetic or emotional ourselves. People need to see that we honestly love them and that the gift of faith will make them happier and more at peace. Peter conveyed that love well that day. Let us help make those around us happier as well.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
What an uplifting start to my day with the simple message to love as Christ has taught us!
Thank you Fr. Dave
Thank you!
Beautifully said Father Dave,
People need to know that we honestly love them and that our precious Faith will give them such amazing, everlasting joy and peace!!! I believe it’s John of the Cross that said ” Where there isn’t love, put love and you will find love!” How beautiful but we have to do it as you say with sincerity and love for the other person!!!The apostles were on fire with love and their results were amazing!!! We have to be on fire with Jesus’ love and be the change we want to see in the world!!! !You are on fire with Jesus’ love!!!!! and we are touched by your love!!!!
Love, Franca and Dick
Yes, well said Franca!
Fr. Dave,
Showing His love to others in a physical way ……..like His Shroud image still does today!
Thanks & God bless!
Larry,
The testimony of the Shroud of Turin is an amazing lesson and inspiration for all of us today. The Shroud is an actual “eyewitness” to the depth of love that Jesus was willing to undergo for us. When we finally realize that love for us, it can energize us to show great love to everyone around us!
Pope Francis declared last week that beginning Dec 8th the church will begin an “Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy” a year dedicated to worldwide mercy. Imagine if all the faithful extended themselves to the greatest extent to fulfilling this mission, how many hearts would turn towards the life giving love of our Savior!! We must all use the gifts of the Holy Spirit to go forth and transform our world, just as the courageous apostles did two thousand years ago!
Yes, the work of the Apostle centuries ago remains our work today as well.
Your remarks “hit the nail on the head.” While even the Pope cannot repeat the conditions of
Peter and the Apostles, it nonetheless implies that Peter’s successors and, indeed all true Christians should follow in his footsteps, including priests, teachers,and parents who impart Christ’s teachings — by doing it with unconditional love and kindness.
Rose Mary and Bob
Yes, we must continue the same efforts today as the Apostles did in their day.
Fr. Dave,
At every taking of the Eucharist I pray for the Lord to breath on me and fill me with the fire with which these folks must have been filled.
I know it will come, but I always remember a lesson where the question comes “Who am I that I ask the Lord for this grace?”
Dick
If you ask, Our Lord has always promised that He will provide!
Fr. Dave,
At every taking of the Eucharist I pray for the Lord to breath on me and fill me with the fire with which these folks must have been filled.
I know it will come, but I always remember a lesson where the question comes “Who am I that I ask the Lord for this grace?”
Dick
From everything I have learned from you I can determine that the Holy Spirit has been with you the whole time!
Fr Dave
Thank you for your words of inspiration !! I think in today’s society people are lured by pure emotion to follow false teachings. There has been a lot of media coverage on the practices of the Church of Scientology. This just proves that only the principles of Christianity will provide true happiness. Have you studied the teachings of these type of churches(cults) Why do you think people are so drawn to them?
Thanks for your message. I really have no idea why people are drawn to scientology. However, many of them drop away after a short time.
Dear Fr. Dave , I went to the sacrament of reconciliation today before mass at St. Jude’s . Fr Jim was so gentle, spiritual, welcoming and filled with Jesus love. I’ll go back sooner rather than later.
Forgiveness and the Eucharist fire us up/ get us going! Thanks for your inspirational thoughts.
What a beautiful message to hear! I am glad that Fr. Jim was a good confessor to you.
Great interpretation of what happened in that scriptural account.
I’m thinking that the Holy Spirit was poured out on the people because
of the sincere love Peter manifested and shared with them.
Truly, love opens all of us up to the filling and outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
Regardless of what the actual convert numbers were, Peter’s love
was the instrument that opened the crowd to the Holy Spirit.
Good reminder for all of us to always try to be that instrument of the Holy Spirit
with everyone especially those we have “difficulty” with. (as Fr. Alex always says).
Thanks especially for taking time to share your teachings with all of us!
Patty
You are welcome!
This is a great example of how God touches people and transforms them. It starts with a great sign that could not be explained: a roaring wind at a calm time of day and uneducated men speaking in foreign tongues. People asked, “How is this possible?”. They knew it wasn’t human. Peter started to speak to them.
People gathered to listen and formed a crowd. The first comments from the “peanut gallery” were negative implying Peter was a drunk. Peter gets their attention by quoting the prophet Joel (i.e., the last days and time of the Messiah). They could have easily become an angry mob, but instead they listen. Something profound happens to them.
When they hear Peter’s words they have compunction in their hearts. Compunction is a deep, nagging sense of guilt. They were so moved that they asked “What shall we do?”. At this point, they take responsibility for their actions.
Here is where the real miracle happens. They do penance and are baptized in the name of Jesus. After they do this they receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Instead of a crowd they are now a community of about three thousand. Together they praised God: following the doctrine of the apostles, breaking break and praying. God transformed this community into his Church and they had favor with all people.
I always enjoy your insights! Thank you.
Excellent reading and interpretation of this passage. I think you read it very well.
I loved what Patty had to say. I went to the Gospel and U was amazed that after 1st visit on the second visit they were still afraid. Then Jesus opened their minds to the Scriptures. Then told them that repentance and forgiveness of sins would be preached to all nations. Not forgetting that they had a 3 year history with Our Lord and He taught them there and with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit all came to life. It is quite possible that all that was taught by Jesus made sense at that point. When Peter preached to the 3000 it was the Lord speaking through him.
Yes, it was the Holy Spirit that made all the difference for Peter, and us.
After the Resurrection Peter was convinced that Jesus was the Son of God, and he was
the first to profess that Jesus was the Christ.
As he walked with Jesus for three years, saw the miracles He performed, listened to His
parables and saw Him doing good he now realized what Jesus was about.
This realization coupled with a double portion of the Holy Spirit and the confidence that
Jesus had in him “Upon this rock I will build my church” he enthusiastically went out
to spread the “The Good News of Jesus”
The crowd could understand in their language what Peter was saying–telling them
that the way to true happiness and Salvation was to follow Jesus, and what a response he had.
Well said!
The Holy Spirit is a gift from God to us…The word that Peter spoke were the words of the Spirit… He and his disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit…Peter spoke the truth and the truth set them free…JN 15:26 says
When the Counselor comes whom I will send to you from the Father, He will testify about Me, and you must also testify, for you have been with Me from the beginning…
Just as Jesus was sent to us to take our sin and sickness, and give us life in abundance, The gift of the Holy Spirit is to teach the truth, work miracles, and more…These gifts are a manifestation of the Spirit,through individuals by which Christ’s presence, love, truth and righteous standards are made real to the fellowship of believers for the common good…The Father is not the Son, the Son is not the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit is not the Father, however the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God…=LOVE
Blessings Mary…
I very much like your ideas, especially the end where you unite all the persons of the Trinity into LOVE. I like that!
I like the teaching and the message of this article as it is inspirational for daily living. Really well written and uplifting. This type of article can make a difference in the lives of Christians.
Thank you!