Meditation 283
Acts 10:44-48
These verse in Acts are the conclusion of a visit that Peter makes to the home of Cornelius. Cornelius was a centurion of the Italian Cohort, which means that he had a ranking position of authority in the Roman army. Even though Cornelius was not a Hebrew, we are told that “he was a devout man who feared God …he gave alms generously … and prayed constantly to God.” (Acts 10: 2) One day he was given a vision in which he was directed to send for Simon Peter, which he did. When Simon arrives at the home of Cornelius, he shares the good news of Jesus and he is prepared to baptize Cornelius and those in his household.
Up to that time it had been accepted that those who were baptized would be those who had followed the Jewish faith. It seemed too big a leap for some to accept that the good news of Jesus was for the circumcised believers (the Jewish people) and the uncircumcised or Gentiles. When Peter arrives at the home of Cornelius there are those from the surrounding community who come to hear Peter preach. We are told that while Peter was speaking that the Holy Spirt fell upon all who were listening, and that the circumcised believers were astonished that the Spirt fell upon the Gentiles as well. After this powerful demonstration from God, no one doubted that Cornelius and his household should be baptized.
For those early believers the message was clear, God does not distinguish between who is allowed to believe in Jesus and who is not. The gospel is offered to the whole world, and so the gift of the Holy Spirit is not confined to only a segment of humanity.
In the twenty-first century we do want to be able to connect with one another as Peter did with Cornelius. We want to be able to live the truth that God sends the Holy Spirit upon those who are like us, and those who are different. As believers we want to embrace those of different backgrounds and abilities, so that under the leading of the Spirit we may worship and work together. By the gift of the Holy Spirit, we, like Peter, may be led to see others as God does.
Let this be our prayer:
God, who comes to us as the Spirit, who breathes the fire of passion into us,
Who inspires us to compassion and courage, You stir up in us the love made known in Christ.
You gift us with a message worth proclaiming, Not just as empty words, but in actions and deeds.
You change the game. You transform us and our living.
You work in us subtlety from the inside out.
You bring to us peace in the midst of the struggles and chaos of life.
Touch us now in ways we least expect.
Surprise us with your reality, and ignite our sense of passion and purpose, that we might grasp the gifts you offer in us,
Take them and serve those who need of them in the world. Bring us into your communion of the common good. Amen. (Source: Jon Humphries, Prayers that Unite)