simon
"Peter first made everyone go outside; then he knelt down and prayed." —Acts 9:40
Simon Peter was forgiven his three denials of Christ, met the risen Lord, and was filled with the Holy Spirit. He became a new man. The Lord used him to convert three thousand on the first Pentecost (Acts 2:41). He healed hundreds just by his shadow (Acts 5:15-16). He raised up Aeneas, who was a paralytic for eight years (Acts 9:33).
God still had more for Simon Peter, much more. He was invited to Joppa. The invitation simply reads: "Please come over to us without delay" (Acts 9:38). Possibly Peter didn't even know why he was called. They took him upstairs where he saw several people in tears. Finally Peter got the idea he had been called to raise the dead. He may not have known what to do, but he just imitated Jesus when He raised the daughter of Jairus. Peter, like Jesus, told everyone to leave the room and he said, "Tabitha, stand up,' instead of "Talitha, get up" (see Mk 5:40-41; Acts 9:40). Simon Peter imitated Jesus exactly and raised the dead.
Prayer: Jesus, this Easter transform me as You did Simon Peter.
Promise: "This is why I have told you that no one can come to Me unless it is granted him by the Father." —Jn 6:65
Praise: St. Athanasius is a towering figure in early church history. His ecclesiastical career is defined by fighting the Arian heresy. In fact, five times Athanasius was exiled for his defense of the doctrine of Christ's divinity, for a total of seventeen years in exile.
Reference: (Coming May 22-24 is our Celebrating the Sacraments in Joy retreat. The sacraments are the channel through which God's blessings flow. Delve deeper into their meanings and reap the rewards by getting closer to God. Call 513-373-2397 or 937-587-5464 or e-mail us at retreats@presentationministries.com to register.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, September 24, 2020
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