The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob

 

Lectio Divina                   Acts 3:13-15, 17-19

Peter said to the people:
"The God of Abraham,
the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob,
the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus,
whom you handed over and denied in Pilate's presence
when he had decided to release him.
You denied the Holy and Righteous One
and asked that a murderer be released to you.
The author of life you put to death,
but God raised him from the dead; of this we are witnesses.
Now I know, brothers,
that you acted out of ignorance, just as your leaders did;
but God has thus brought to fulfillment
what he had announced beforehand
through the mouth of all the prophets,
that his Christ would suffer.
Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be wiped away."

STUDIUM:

Peter isn't excusing the people from choosing Barrabas over Jesus.  He's telling them they sinned but can be forgiven if they convert.  Follow Jesus.

MEDITATIO:

Out of ignorance, I also would have chosen Jesus Bar Abba, who was trying to overthrow the Romans, over Jesus Bar Joseph, who preached love your enemies.  But I am saved because I follow Jesus.

ORATIO:

Jesus, help me not make mistakes in choosing what is right.  I want to always follow You.

CONTEMPLATIO:

Glory to You, my Lord and God.

Ignorantia Juris Non Excusat

Lectio:

ACTS 3:13-15, 17-19

Peter said to the people:
"The God of Abraham,
the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob,
the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus,
whom you handed over and denied in Pilate's presence
when he had decided to release him.
You denied the Holy and Righteous One
and asked that a murderer be released to you.
The author of life you put to death,
but God raised him from the dead; of this we are witnesses.
Now I know, brothers,
that you acted out of ignorance, just as your leaders did;
but God has thus brought to fulfillment
what he had announced beforehand
through the mouth of all the prophets,
that his Christ would suffer.
Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be wiped away."

Studium:

Peter and John had just healed a crippled man.  The people were amazed, to say the least.  More importantly, they were open to an explanation.  They were listening.  And so Peter began, "Why are you amazed at this?".  Peter goes on to explain that it wasn't by his power that the healing took place but by the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Who is Jesus.
     Peter was trying to appeal to them gently, with understanding (you acted out of ignorance) but making his point (The author of life you put to death.). 
       He also was showing them that Isaiah's predictions about suffering was not about them but rather was about their Messiah, Jesus.  That must have been an eye-opener.  

Meditatio:

The law tells us "Ignorance of the law, does not excuse one from liability.  Ignorantia juris non excusat or ignorantia legis neminem excusat (Latin for "ignorance of the law excuses not" and "ignorance of law excuses no one" respectively) is a legal principle holding that a person who is unaware of a law may not escape liability for violating that law. 

Thank God, He is all merciful and does not abide by human rulings.

Oratio:

But how could I know I was doing wrong when I believed I was doing right?  Only You, My Love, know my heart.  You understand and are all merciful.  I appeal to your mercy.

Contemplatio:

Lord forgive me, I know not what I do.