6 May 2017
Saturday of the Third Week of Easter
Today’s first reading contains a profound theological message, one that is often missed by less astute readers of the Bible.
“Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed.”
The action of Christ in our life can be a dramatic healing, or a simple insight but however and whatever that insight is, any action of grace demands a response. And, the response usually should be practical. One of the surest pieces of evidence of God acting in our lives is when an insight turns to a practical action. No greater temptation and a sure cause of spiritual failure is the desire to perform some great feat or some heroic deed beyond our capabilities. American consumer culture has attuned us to the need to purchase the fantastic when in fact the practical is within our grasp. The simple admonition by Peter after performing this dramatic cure reminds us that our response to grace should reflect consistency and simplicity. After this cure, we would not be surprised if Peter commanded Aeneas to leave his family, quite his job, and become a roving missionary for Jesus. Instead, he tells him to make his bed. No better insight into this simplicity was expressed by Teresa of the Little Flower in her recognition that a simple act done in love is the surest path to sanctity.
“Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love.”