Commentary from Father Clive for those reading the book of Acts at this time.
Well how is it going. I have managed to get up to chapter 9 and despite all my teaching and learning during training for ordination I have gained so much from reading this book again. The nature of humanity comes through so strong. The doubts and fears that we all share are there and yet through some ‘magic’ those in the account come through… So what is it that matters here? Perhaps this might make us engage more.
Despite being with Our Lord throughout his ministry and seeing and hearing all that he did and said the disciples still hid in the Upper Room fearful, confused and with a feeling of being abandoned. Sound familiar in this time of lockdown? Remember that in Matthew 28 we are told that the two Marys went to the tomb and in verse 8 ‘they left the tomb afraid but full of joy and ran to tell the disciples’. Those two emotions were to almost torment the disciples because the joy on the one hand also brought the fear on the other. Even though Jesus appeared to them in the Upper room things remained the same until finally his promise was to change everything at what is known as Pentecost.
So what are we to make of Acts as we read through. Well the story of the Ascension seems to be a reasonable start and yet until Pentecost we are told very little. It is this feast we look forward to but in the meantime we can see the story of the early church unfold.
In the time between the Ascension and the day of Pentecost we still see those two emotions taking hold. Meetings where together this small band experienced the joy
but also the fear that they could not go beyond this narrow group because of what might happen. And then we all know about the events of Pentecost when the group of frightened disciples went out ‘in the Power of the Spirit’ to risk it all because something had changed in them. It is that same power that changes us and as we read on we can sense so much that helps us in facing the challenges of today. Worry and fear are natural but look at the story in the beginning of chapter three. Peter again with John was going into the Temple (the place where he would face the most hostility) to pray (for Jesus was the Messiah for the Jews and it was to them at this point that the message was directed). As they entered there was a lame man……asking for money. It is Peter’s reply that gives the power ‘I have no money at all but I give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth I order you to get up and walk’ (Good News Bible)….and what? Yes, the man got up and walked. The power was not Peter’s but it came from Jesus as promised…..he gave them the power to forgive and make well…..and that power which means overcoming doubt and fear is the same power we share today. For miracles are not just amazing acts, they are a life changing inner change sometimes emotionally, sometimes physically and sometimes spiritually. This is the story throughout Acts.
Peter has changed drastically, as we shall see others do the same as we read through, but I always remember that it is the same Jesus and the same Spirit that fills our hearts and that for us too is life changing. Peter’s strength is quite alarming and amazing but like today they then faced persecution and ridicule but he still delivers powerful ‘sermons’ against all opposition. But it is not just Peter and the disciples, for we next read of the arrest and stoning of Stephen our first Christian martyr. His speech before the Council is another masterful understanding of the power of the Spirit. Then the story of Philip which is followed by the Conversion of Saul. This is again one of the most poignant episodes, for it was to change the whole movement gradually. Jesus came to Saul on the road to Damascus, and we all know the story, but I want for a moment to point to the man who comes across as a true follower. Ananias, who despite his fear, which was so real, still took Saul into his heart having realised what was being told/expected of him. His strength is amazing and puts me to shame at times.
To take in this extreme persecutor of the early Church and to look after him portrays a person who really understood his faith.
These stories are those of the early Church, when people faced real problems of fear, and life, and yet time after time they came through because of the Power of Christ through the Holy Spirit.
That same Spirit dwells within each one of us and so does that power. At this really testing time these stories will give us the understanding and strength to work through
towards the brighter days ahead. It is hard, sometimes terrifying when we read of those who have lost loved ones…..it can cause doubt…..but look to Christ, read about how the Church coped then and indeed now and despite all that faces us we know that God is with us.
Read on……and you too will go from strength to strength….looking forward to the day
when ‘we’ll meet again’ as the Family of Saint James.
May God’s Blessing rest with you all.
Love
Father Clive