+ Well, as the Acts of the Apostles continues to reveal God working wonders through the church, we come today to stories that reveal the best of the best of the best.
The church was growing in great numbers. And why not, with stories like today?!
While passing through one of the regions, Peter came upon a man, Aeneas, paralyzed for eight years. He was confined to his bed. Peter wasted no time; he said to the man —
“Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed.”
And just as quickly as Peter had said it, the healing took place. All were astonished!
Then, the following story of the recently deceased Tabitha: a good woman always doing good deeds, and who often gave alms. Some disciples who knew Tabitha had heard that she died, her body had been prepared, and Peter was nearby. So they sent for him — begged him to come, begged him to go up to the room where Tabita lied.
What they were hoping for was the miracle of miracles: to bring a dead body back to life. He sent them all out, and did just that as he spoke —
“Tabitha, rise up.”
And she did. And he called the holy ones and widows and presented her to them. Word went out to all; and many came to believe that very day.
Yes! We hear wondrous stories today — the best of the best of the best!
Now the Gospel, on the other hand, is talking about another kind of miracle and great mystery. Jesus, having given his Bread of Life discourse yesterday, responds to a doubtful crowd who said it quite directly to Jesus —
“This saying is hard; who can accept it?”
And so Jesus went to the core of his teaching and revealed what has now been the source of our spiritual life for 2,000 years —
“It is the Spirit that gives life, while the flesh is to no avail.”
Many left him on the spot. Too hard! Too difficult to comprehend! But to those to whom somehow the word of God got through and their trust levels rose, they were able to find his words of everlasting life.
And thanks be to God they did, as that word has continued to thrive and give life over the centuries.
And me thinks that many of us have come to the same conclusion, as Peter and can utter his same words —
“Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”
