April 10, 2015 - Friday

If we are being examined today about a good deed done to a cripple, namely, by what means he was saved, then all of you and all the people of Israel should know that it was in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead; in his name this man stands before you healed.
He [Jesus] is ‘the stone rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.’
There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved.” (Acts 4:9-12 NABRE)

Filled with the Holy Spirit, Saint Peter here confronts the growing discomfort of the religious leadership--the Sanhedrin, many of whom, known as Sadducees, believed bodily resurrection was alien to the ancient Mosaic religion.* He and John had been arrested early the previous evening for healing a crippled beggar in the name of the risen Jesus (see Acts 3). Peter and John had been held in custody and are being questioned by the Sanhedrin regarding what power or by what name they had healed this man.

In his reply, Peter tells them the beggar had been saved by the name of Jesus. He goes on to point out that it is only by the name of Jesus that anyone can be delivered.*

Lord, help me to believe, as this crippled beggar did, that my salvation is given to me in the name of Jesus your son. Save me from the worldly perspective of the Sanhedrin displayed in today's verse so that I might carry your message as Peter did, filled with your Spirit and confident in your Word.


Today, on this Easter Friday, I will continue to pray the Divine Mercy Novena (Day 8).

Saint John Francis Regis, whose faith and goodness touched others and brought them to deeper faith, pray for us.