Choosing Faith

 

LECTIO:                                           ACTS 10: 34A, 37-43              

Acts 10:34a, 37-43

Peter proceeded to speak and said:
“You know what has happened all over Judea,
beginning in Galilee after the baptism
that John preached,
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth
with the Holy Spirit and power.
He went about doing good
and healing all those oppressed by the devil,
for God was with him.
We are witnesses of all that he did
both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem.
They put him to death by hanging him on a tree.
This man God raised on the third day and granted that he be visible,
not to all the people, but to us,
the witnesses chosen by God in advance,
who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.
He commissioned us to preach to the people
and testify that he is the one appointed by God
as judge of the living and the dead.
To him all the prophets bear witness,
that everyone who believes in him
will receive forgiveness of sins through his name.”

STUDIUM:    

Luke, the author of Acts, has Peter giving a speech.  In a vision, Peter is 

told that a Roman Centurion, Cornelius, will come and invite him to his

home to instruct his family and friends. Peter explains that as a Jew, he 

shouldn't associate with Gentiles, but he had a vision, in which God

showed him that no one is to be considered unclean.

     Peter gives a lesson on the righteousness of Jesus. He explains how

Jesus was crucified, but then resurrected.  Jesus commissioned him and others to 

preach.  Lastly, if you believe, your sins will be forgiven.

    As proof of the quality of Cornelius' household, the Holy Spirit will come

down and everyone starts speaking in tongues.  

MEDITATIO:

Peter had a vision.  I don't think he understood it, in fact I bet he was 

shocked to find a Roman soldier standing outside his door.  But he did

what he was told and saw the vision unfold before him.

     What I get from this story is that Peter, not completely understanding

what God wanted, went with the flow.  This is what I have to learn

to do.  I should not do what I want, but be more situationally alert to

see God guiding me what to do.

ORATIO:

Lord, help me understand Your Ways.  I will try to listen to Your Voice.  

CONTEMPLATIO:

My heart is open.  Come into my heart, O Lord.

RESOLUTIO:

I plan to spend more quiet time with the Lord.  Adoration will be scheduled.