Acts 3:1-11
Our reading from Acts today is about a healing performed by Peter and John on their way into the temple. According to Acts, “a man lame from birth was being carried in. People would lay him daily at the gate of the temple called the Beautiful Gate so that he could ask for alms from those entering the temple” (Acts 3:2). There is significant irony in the setting of the event, for a man whose condition would make him seem anything but beautiful has been placed next to a gate known for its appearance. The gate, no doubt, was intended to the glory of God; the man would seem to detract from the splendor of the place simply by his presence, and because he was lame his moral character would also have been questioned by many making him even less attractive.
What happens next, however, turns the scene upside down. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth Peter commands the man to rise and walk. The man who had been lame leapt to his feet –– now strong and sturdy –– and offered praise to God. What Peter did shamed even the wonder of the Beautiful Gate and made clear what it is that God considers to be beautiful: life, compassion, community, love. Through the actions of Peter and John the setting of the story turned out to be not so ironic after all, indeed it became clearly appropriate.
Where are the “Beautiful Gates” of our world, our communities, our neighborhoods? What do they say about our compassion for others? What do they say about the value of human life? What truth might they reveal to us if we only have eyes to see?
Prayer: Lord, help us to serve you by regarding the needs of others and trusting you to work through us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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