Prayer in Eastertime
Memorial of Saint Adalbert, bishop of Prague. He suffered martyrdom in eastern Prussia where he had gone to preach the Gospel (+997). He spent time in Rome, where his memory is venerated in the basilica of Saint Bartholomew on the Tiberine Island.
Reading of the Word of God
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
Christ is risen from the dead
and will die no more.
He awaits us in Galilee!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
Acts 3,1-10
Once, when Peter and John were going up to the Temple for the prayers at the ninth hour, it happened that there was a man being carried along. He was a cripple from birth; and they used to put him down every day near the Temple entrance called the Beautiful Gate so that he could beg from the people going in. When this man saw Peter and John on their way into the Temple he begged from them. Peter, and John too, looked straight at him and said, 'Look at us.' He turned to them expectantly, hoping to get something from them, but Peter said, 'I have neither silver nor gold, but I will give you what I have: in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, walk!' Then he took him by the right hand and helped him to stand up. Instantly his feet and ankles became firm, he jumped up, stood, and began to walk, and he went with them into the Temple, walking and jumping and praising God. Everyone could see him walking and praising God, and they recognised him as the man who used to sit begging at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple. They were all astonished and perplexed at what had happened to him.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
Christ is risen from the dead
and will die no more.
He awaits us in Galilee!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
This passage of the Acts of the Apostles describes the first steps of Peter and John from the upper room to the temple. Luke puts this episode so that it might be a model for all the communities: they are the first steps that each community must do wherever it lives. The disciples go out in two: maybe they remember Jesus' words when he sent them out on their first mission "two by two" (Mk 6:7). Putting these words in practice literally, Peter and John go to the temple. The disciples alone cannot do anything. If they love each other they can perform miracles. This is what happened that day. The two arrive at the "Beautiful Gate" of the temple and see a man lame from birth sitting and asking for alms. He is forty years old and has spent probably the greater part of those years there, stretching out his hands to the passers-by. He stayed outside the temple. He was prevented from entering it, not only because he physically could not walk, but also because of his disability. There was a sad and cruel proverb which said: "The blind and the lame shall not enter." The crippled man who had been there for so many years, expected nothing more than some alms from life. But God's mercy, which had already filled Peter's and John's hearts, does miracles. Peter looked at him in the eyes. This is also an indication: looking in the eyes means going down in the other's heart. Not only. Then he said, "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk!" and at the same time gave his right hand and raised the lame man. Those hands that intertwine are like the icon of the Church that is born from the Gospel.