The first miracle by Peter

Actions speak louder than words. The message of God must be backed up by the charity of the believers. When medical services were not popularly available, exorcisms and miracles of healing would relieve people of their sufferings and demonstrate the loving care of God. Jesus had exorcised and healed. To be truly followers of Jesus, the apostles did likewise. Today, we read of the first miracle worked by Peter after his master had ascended to heaven.

The scene was set at the Beautiful Gate of the Jerusalem Temple, a favourite site for Luke. The time was the hour of prayer, the ninth hour, i.e. 3 o'clock in the afternoon. Peter and John went up to the Temple to pray. The first Christians were Jews and their religious practices did not differ much from their Jewish brethren.
And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at that gate of the temple which is called Beautiful to ask alms of those who entered the temple (Acts 3:2).
Many human sufferings are deep-seated. Man has worked hard to eradicate them with some success. But like it or not, man has to live with them. But with God, man can do away with them.
Catching the attention of the lame man, Peter was ready for his first miracle.
But Peter said, "I have no silver and gold, but I give you what I have; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." (Acts 3:6)

Throughout the ages, the mission of each Christian is to bear witness to the risen Lord. To do so, Christians perform charity, relieve sufferings and serve the needy, as individuals and as a Church. Giving alms to the lame man serves his material needs, solves his livelihood problems. But this was not what Peter did. Peter claimed that he had no silver and gold to solve the lame man's livelihood problems. But Peter was willing to give what he had. What did Peter have? What does the Church have? Jesus. So, Peter gave the lame man Jesus and restored his ability to walk. From now on, the lame man had to earn his own living!

The Church should relieve sufferings and serve the needy. But this alone is not what the Church should do. She has to give the world what she has, Jesus. Of course the Church should take part in relief-missions for victims of earthquakes and natural disasters. She should not stop there but should help them stand on their own feet and believe in Jesus. Of course the Church should run hospitals and many other social services for the sick and disadvantaged. She should not stop there but should help them see that they are participating in the redemptive sufferings of Jesus. Of course the Church should take part in education for children to equip them for their future in the society. She should not stop there and should make Jesus a guide for their life. Alas! There are more professional people out there doing a better job than the Church. The Church can work alongside with them but cannot replace them. What she has is Jesus and Jesus she must give if she is to do her job right. Which is easier, to heal the body or to heal the soul?

Is it easy to give Jesus even when we have Jesus? Negative. Let me give you an example.
In ancient time, Chinese people wrote with brushes. Before that, they crafted characters on bamboo sticks with knives. Imagine how you could give, say Confucius, a notebook computer to write his books. No wonder, the Church has been successful only in building elite schools and famous private hospitals etc. but fail to evangelize.

Dear Jesus, forgive us. Very often we take the short-cut and leave our mission half done. We find satisfaction and vainglory in doing only the superficial things, leaving out the real thing, You. Help us walk the extra mile to give you to our neighbour. Amen.