Easter Sunday
(Cycle "C" - April 11, 2004)

Q. 262:   Is there a special significance in Peter's very first "formal" address in scripture (Acts 10:34a, 37-43)?

A. 262:   In our First Reading today, Peter is addressing the Gentiles for the first time (in the person of the centurion, Cornelius and his family and friends).   For that reason, his appeal to arguments from scripture is only secondary - but it is not overlooked (Acts 10:43).   Both in his eyewitness testimony, and in the appeal to scripture (e.g., allusions to Is 33:24 and Jer 31:34), the point being made by Peter is that all can experience forgiveness of sins through a believing faith in the name of and person of Jesus.

HE IS RISEN!   This is the basis and foundation for all Christian beliefs!   And the Good News is that Jesus redeemed everyone.   All that one needs to do is to approach Him with a sincere heart, a believing heart; repent and ask for mercy; and then receive forgiveness.   God's mercy is not restricted to Jews alone.   His mercy is unlimited and unconditional.   We must not presume upon his mercy, however; the status of our heart is everything: are we truly sincere in our sorrow for sin?

Our Moslem and Jewish brothers and sisters are unable to make the "leap of faith" that is required to believe in Jesus; they are unable to accept the eyewitness accounts of the Apostles.   Think about it: the man accused like a common criminal, and then sentenced to be "hung on a tree" until dead - this is our Leader?   God become man, for our sake?   Yes indeed!   We believe in Him because He is Risen!   He was raised from the dead "on the third day"!

Know Your Catechism!   Give thanks to God for your precious gift of Faith, which freely assents to all truths that God has revealed (CCC #26, #150).   Faith is both a grace and a free response (CCC #153-4).   It can be lost, shipwrecked by not following a good conscience (CCC #162).   Pray for our Moslem and Jewish brothers and sisters, that they receive an opportunity to choose freely this gift of faith, which is necessary for salvation (CCC #161), because our Lord tied the forgiveness of sins to faith and Baptism (CCC #977).

Deacon Paul Rooney
Mary Our Queen Parish, Omaha

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