The Church began in Jerusalem with a small group of disciples. God was working through believers. It appears that the lame man had become used to his condition and had settled into begging. Peter and John take the opportunity to show that God has a higher purpose for his life, and that silver and gold cannot satisfy the hunger deep within him. God fulfills his human crisis with a spiritual remedy. Peter turns the man’s focus to Jesus, and he becomes a witness to the world. This is our mission too. Our words, our responses in difficult times, and our actions should bear witness to God’s love. In the Gospel, two disciples encounter the Risen Lord in the midst of terror, fear, and uncertainty. As they listened to the Word, a supernatural power transformed them, and they were set on fire for the Lord. That is what the Eucharist does for all of us. The resurrection of Jesus has lifted us into a dimension that no human can reach by his or her own strength.

Abba Father, open our inner eyes. Amen.