Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. 3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. 4 And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8 And leaping up he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
What gift do you have to bring? It is time for prayer, what are you going too bring to God, so that he will grant you your prayer. You might think this a strange question. But throughout history, it is the practice of bringing an offering to God, so that God would do something for you. People would offer goats, so they would have a healthy child. People would offer Bulls to win battles. People would offer doves to prevent sickness. There are even religions today that still require offerings.
So what gift to I find in your hands, do you have alms for the poor? Do you have food for the hungry? What do you bring forward so that your prayers will be answered?
Nothing you say, you bring forth nothing and expect God to grant your desires like he is some kind of Genie who will grant you three wishes for rubbing his lamp.
St Peter and St John did not come with nothing. They did not have gold or silver. They did not even have goats, cows, chickens, or grain. They brought something greater than all these things. They brought with them the good news of Jesus Christ, or to be exact "the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth."
There is no greater name under heaven. There is no greater offering to be made than the offering Christ made once for all. Christ himself is our sacrifice. He has died and rose again. Through our Baptism Christ has joined us to his death and resurrection, and given us a seat at his father's table. So when we come to our Father in Heaven, we do not need to bring lavished gifts or required sacrifices. We simply come with the name of Jesus Christ sealed upon our foreheads and upon our hearts marking us as one redeemed by Christ the crucified.
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