Commissioning Ceremony on December 18, 2013

PODCAST - Press sideways triangle below to listen

or click here if there is no triangle
In 2014, I am facilitating a 12-week interactive online course in contemplative prayer and action for priests with Saint Luke Institute.  Please visit SLIconnect.org to learn more:  https://www.sliconnect.org/product/living-god-program-contemplative-life-2/

Commissioning Ceremony (Acts 3:1-9)
St. Luke Institute
December 18, 2013

THE SCENE +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  It’s a very graphic scene: “Peter and John going up to the temple at three in the afternoon.

Ø  A man lame from birth being carried into the temple

Ø  Notice Peter’s response when the fellow asks for money. Peter looks straight at him, as does John, and says, “Look at us!”

Ø  “Silver or gold I don’t have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk”

Ø  He then does something significant. He takes him by the right hand, helps him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong

Ø  In fact, so strong, the fellow jumps to his feet and not only begins walking, he’s also jumping around and praising God

THE REMEDY +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  It could very well have read: “One day Richard and Ty were going up to the temple at 4:10 in the afternoon

Ø  “Now they had been laden with heavy burdens and were being led to the sanctuary …

Ø  The reading reveals a bit of a process by which the individual is healed

Ø  1^st Peter clarifies what he can and can’t do to help this poor fellow

Ø  2^nd he then proclaims his faith in Jesus Christ and claims the power of that name to heal

Ø  3^rd he reaches out a hand and helping him up the man is cured

Ø  4^th the fellow responds to the healing and we see him jumping around and praising God

APPLICATION +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  Ty’s and Richard’s journey of 6 months has been a time of clarifying expectations, hearing faith in Jesus Christ proclaimed, of experiencing the reassuring presence of hands reaching out to them

Ø  And while there may not be the jumping around of the lame man, there is certainly here in our gathering his sense praising God for the transformation they have experienced first-hand

CONCLUSON ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  Our prayer for them is that the wonder and thanksgiving of family, friends, and community will also be theirs as they leave SLI

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++