Acts of the Apostles

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Hey guys! So it’s been about a month since we’ve had the chillest of times at Youth Rally, but you all are still in my prayers! I know it can be difficult to keep that “Jesus High” going, but that’s why I’m here writing to you all. We don’t want you guys to feel like you’re all alone in trying to figure out how to live your faith, so be ready to have your socks knocked off by the Holy Spirit.

In the Spirit (the HOLY Spirit, amirite?) of being kinda lost after some awesome Jesus time, we’re going to take a look at the third chapter in the Acts of the Apostles. This book was written by one of Jesus’ best buds, Luke, and it basically tells us what went on after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension (Jesus rose from the dead and went back up into Heaven). The disciples were a little lost like us, so we learn how the disciples dealt with being “on their own” for the first time (but for realsies, they had the Holy Spirit, but you get the point). If you want to find this book in your Bible, it is right after the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) in the New Testament. If you want to access the bible online, you can go to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops website. Here is the text we’ll talk about though:

Acts 3:1-10

“Now Peter and John were going up to the temple area for the three o’clock hour of prayer. And a man crippled from birth was carried and placed at the gate of the temple called “the Beautiful Gate” every day to beg for alms from the people who entered the temple. When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked for alms. But Peter looked intently at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” He paid attention to them, expecting to receive something from them. Peter said, “I have neither silver nor gold, but what I do have I give you: in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean, [rise and] walk.” Then Peter took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles grew strong. He leaped up, stood, and walked around, and went into the temple with them, walking and jumping and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the one who used to sit begging at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, and they were filled with amazement and astonishment at what had happened to him.”

So, you’re probably not going to be curing people of disabilities just by telling them to feel better, though it would be awesome. BUT, that does not make this irrelevant. Let’s take a look at what is going on. There is a “crippled” man, which in those times, meant he was “unclean.” No one wanted to go near him, no one would hire him, he couldn’t do much, and he lived off of what only a few people willing to go near him could give. Peter and John, though not having any money, gave him healing through the love of the Holy Spirit. He was able to not only be functional, but live as a part of society without being ostracized! He started literally jumping for joy and praising God. Now, how can this be relevant to you today?

We all encounter people who are ignored, ostracized, and bullied. You may find them at school, or asking for money in the Walmart parking lot. Let this person be like the crippled man. When was the last time you think someone smiled at them? Talked to them? Treated them like an equal human being? You may not be able to solve their problems or rid them of a disability, but what kind of emotional healing can you bring to them by introducing them to Christ? Now hold up, does that meant we have to pull the bible out and stand on a soapbox wherever we go? Not necessarily…

One of my favorite quotes is by St. Francis of Assisi: “Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary, use words.” We can more often affect someone through actions. After all, it is the ACTS of the Apostles. Treat people with respect, rather than making assumptions before getting to know them. Sometimes it’s not even a disability that people struggle with, but something that can cause them to be treated as though they are “unclean.” Yes, I am talking about our LGBTQ family. Christians often go about the wrong way trying to “help” these brothers and sisters. The LGBTQ community should NOT be treated as though they are unclean or require saving. Nor should anyone. Jesus hung out with all the people that were avoided, ignored, and made fun of. But that’s the thing, He HUNG OUT with them, spent time with them, and cared for them. Remember, Jesus knows people’s sins but calls them by their names, Satan knows people’s names but calls them by their sins. What have you been doing? First, love them with no ulterior motives. Peter directly named Jesus, but that doesn’t mean you always have to. Be Jesus’ hands, feet, and heart on this Earth by treating others with kindness. Believe me, people will notice a difference and feel Christ through you.

This planet is riddled with struggles. People have mental and physical disabilities; many people are poor or ignored. There is racism, sexism, ageism, and every other -ism out there. Peter was acting as Jesus in the reading, now it’s your turn to act as Jesus. Love others unconditionally, and God will guide you in your steps to come.

Your challenge:

1. Smile at someone each day.

2. Give people compliments.

3. Approach that kid that “no one likes.”

4. Treat your family with respect and kindness.

God bless you all!

-Sarah Medina