Second Sunday after Pentecost (CL)

Acts 10:34-48

³⁴ So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, ³⁵ but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. ³⁶ As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), ³⁷ you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: ³⁸ how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. ³⁹ And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, ⁴⁰ but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, ⁴¹ not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. ⁴² And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. ⁴³ To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

⁴⁴ While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. ⁴⁵ And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. ⁴⁶ For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, ⁴⁷ “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” ⁴⁸ And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.

St Peter needed to be reminded that God does not show partiality. Many people may ask, why were the Hebrews chosen? Why was Abraham chosen out of all the people of the earth? The answer has been revealed to St Peter. God chose them to bring a blessing to all nations. These few may be an example to all others.

Today, the Church as well as Christians around the world are supposed to be an example of living as children of God. But we often fail to preach to people the truth. St Peter was sent to the Gentiles to preach about Jesus Christ. Christ has died for the sins of the world. It is not our job to determine who is worthy, but it is our Job to teach the truth.

We are witnesses to Jesus Christ. We carry the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Jesus commanded his disciples to teach everything he commanded us. This means that we do have a command to teach about sexual immorality, murder, false-witness, and idolatry. We should lead as examples on how to lead holy lives. We should also lead as examples of repentant sinners seeking forgiveness from our Heavenly Father.