An enduring memory for me is the picking of teams on the school playground. I was always among the last to be picked. I definitely was not one of the favoured ones. Winners and losers. Included and excluded. From our earliest days, we live with the world’s biases, the world’s judgments of our worthiness, who is in and who is out.
In a risky situation, at the home of a powerful Gentile, Peter declares the message the world needs to hear, then and now—God shows no partiality to those who believe. What joy and hope there is for all people in Peter’s sermon on Christian faith.
We are imperfect people. Like Peter, who risks sharing his vulnerabilities with Cornelius’ household, we, too, are asked to share what leads us astray and where we are in need of God’s transforming love in and with us. Sharing our vulnerabilities and failings becomes the point where we can begin to share the good news.
Like Peter, we can risk because Christ is risen! Alleluia!
Gracious God, grant us courage to confront and share where we fail in living and sharing the good news. Help us grow in understanding your love that includes all who believe in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. Amen. —