Where to go

The psalmist asks what return he can make to the Lord for all He has given. The ministry of Peter to the regions of Lydda and Joppa is described in the passage from the Acts of the Apostles in the RomanCatholic Lectionary today. The healing of the people in this passage is noted by Friar Jude Winkler to be very similar to the healing action of Jesus. This is to make the point that Jesus ministry is continuing in the Apostles. Somecommentators see this episode of healing in the coastal communities away from Jerusalem as the beginning of the path outlined by Luke where Peter understands that the Good News of Jesus is to be proclaimed beyond Jerusalem and the Jews. Peter is often portrayed in the Gospel of John as impetuous, impatient and not quite getting it in comparison to the beloved disciple. The Bread of Life Discourse in Chapter 6 of John’s Gospel concludes today with the assertion by Peter that Jesus has the Words of Eternal Life and there is nowhere else for them to go. This statement does not necessarily declare that Peter understands all that Jesus has revealed. Like Peter and the psalmist we are aware of all that God has done for us and it is faith in search of understanding that we profess as we grow in relationship with the One who is flesh for the Life of the World.