The first reading is a capsule--a few short verses from the longer version read at daily Mass throughout the past week. The rosy picture of the early church and the Apostles success at teaching and preaching is darkened with challenge. The eleven are no hiding behind closed doors out of fear or guilt; nor are they immediately embraced by the peace and the comfort of the Holy Spirit. They have literally stepped out--to the world of reality.

And that world even today, as we well know it is one of violence and hatred; whether its young high schools students killing their peers or teachers or strangers or someone passing you on the Interstate flipping you the bird - Someday people like that may run into Clint Eastwood or Arnold Swazanegger and have more than a finger blown off.

In today's reading Peter and John are a contrast, a model for us who would crave serenity and patience. A crowd has gathered to witness their arrest for healing a paralyzed man "in the name of Jesus". Taking him by the hand Peter raised his trembling legs that had never walked and entered the temple. Filled with all kinds of emotion: joy, fear, praise, the man created quite a stir as he began somersaulting and singing to the Lord.

Some were obviously incredulous, some perhaps jealous; some skeptical, some sarcastic, blaming the whole thing as being scandalous and diabolic. The Sanhedrin fearing the tension of the growing crowd ordered that the name of the Nazarene no longer be used publicly, and attempted to dismiss them with a warning.

Hut John, the usually quiet one, the one who had deserted Peter leaving him in his darkest spiritual hour now boldly spoke: Surely we must each judge for ourselves whether it is right to obey you or to obey God. We cannot help but speak of what we have seen and heard.

For us who are separated by 2,000 years of history and have never witnessed Jesus with our physical eyes--it can be difficult to distinguish the strength that comes from knowing Jesus and the power of His Name from that of our own stubborn will. Peter's personality had always been stubborn. So thick that Jesus actually changed his name from Simon to Peter, the Rock. Hut was this stubbornness now just another manifestation of his human personality or was it truly transformed and renewed faith?

True faith is rooted in humility, which enables us to let go of ourselves--to let go of our own will--and to let the power of Jesus work in us. As we look again at the gospel: Jesus delicately and lovingly engages with Peter in a pivotal moment that will enable Peter to see for himself his great love for Jesus and the power of that love that is greater than any opposing power that might try to keep him bound in the memory and the toxic shame of his human failures.

Peter and the others had already received the Holy Spirit and the gift of forgiveness, peace, serenity; and had been told to share these gifts with others. Jesus name has an authority and power that goes beyond simple memory--it is active and forceful – it cuts to the very heart.

Something was still eating away inside Peter. His eyes riveted on that charcoal fire, unable to recognize the man until John tells him it is the Lord.

Immediately Peter makes a deliberate decision to go to the Lord. I firmly believe it is no coincidence that the last chapter of the last gospel is in clear contrast with the opening pages of Genesis where the first humans were deceived to fear and hide from God in shame; feeling no longer worthy to be what God has created us to be the image of God, the children of God.

Just as Jesus stepped out of the stone blocked tomb, liberated from death; Peter was able to come out of his stone encrusted emotions and realize that liberation is real. Jesus wanted Peter and all of us to see that while we are human and make mistakes, the power of love is able to overcome a multitude of human failings. This was one of the most encouraging interventions that anyone could experience.