VII.
As we give this passage our attention today, let’s walk with Peter and John to afternoon prayers at the Temple.

Try putting yourself alongside them and pay attention to who you see, what you and Peter and John talk about on the way to the Temple, who else is going to afternoon prayers and most of all to the disabled man who “[fixes] his attention” on Peter, John and you.

VIII.
Acts 3:1-11 (NRSVue)

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, at three o’clock in the afternoon. And a man lame from birth was being carried in. People would lay him daily at the gate of the temple called the Beautiful Gate so that he could ask for alms from those entering the temple. When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked them for alms. Peter looked intently at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. Jumping up, he stood and began to walk, and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. All the people saw him walking and praising God, and they recognized him as the one who used to sit and ask for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, and they were filled with wonder and astonishment at what had happened to him.

While he clung to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s Portico, utterly astonished.

IX.
It is likely that there were set times for morning, afternoon and evening prayers at the Temple. Faithful Jewish men would often go to one or more of these times of prayer. Peter and John count themselves not only as disciples of Jesus but also as observant Jewish men who take Temple prayer seriously.

And this day they are interrupted on the way to their time of prayer.

How do you feel about the interruption? Would you rather just pass by the man who is hoping to receive some coins from you? Or, would you give him a few coins so you could get on to the important work of afternoon prayer?

Peter and John didn’t ignore him but rather “looked intently at him.”

How easy is it for us to ignore people when we think we have more important things to do? Like going to a prayer service at church?

Peter and John offered the man what they had – a healing word from Jesus, and then helped him to his feet.

Consider what Jesus might be asking you to offer those you meet on your way.

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}