The early Christian communities do not yet have the New Testament. When the first Christians gather to pray and worship, they continue to read the scriptures of Israel. As they listen to these scriptures, they find images such as the shepherd in the gospel and the cornerstone in this first reading that help them articulate who Jesus is.
Luke wants his readers to see that Jesus’ disciples continue his work. In Sunday’s first reading Peter addresses Jewish leaders and elders in much the same way Jesus in the parable of the good shepherd addresses the Pharisees. Peter and John cure a man, lame from birth, who is begging alms at the temple gate. For that and because they are proclaiming Jesus’ resurrection, the priests, the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees arrest and jail them.
When the leaders of the Sanhedrin ask, “By what power or by what name have you done this?” Peter answers that it is in the name of Jesus, whom they crucified and whom God raised from the dead. He tells his interrogators that, although they have rejected him, Jesus is the only source of salvation in the whole world.
Like Jesus, Peter and John take care of the sick and weak. Like Jesus, these shepherd leaders challenge established leaders and provoke their wrath. Undeterred, the apostles stubbornly assert their faith in Jesus’ resurrection from the dead and its life-giving, curative power.
Continuing Jesus’ mission is our call, too. Covid 19 has opened our eyes to how many people serve as good shepherds in our lives, some on the front lines in health care and some in the hidden work of the good care, people from doctors and nurses, to grocers to garbage collectors. Similarly many people today lead as shepherds in struggles for safe policing, fair housing, food security.
Peter proclaims Jesus’ saving power.
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. This Jesus is ‘the stone that was rejected by you, the builders; it has become the cornerstone.’ There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.”
Acts 4.8-12
- What characterizes a community of which Jesus is the cornerstone?
- What wholeness does the human community need? What does your faith ask you to contribute to the common good?