杏MAP导航

By Francesca Merlo

In his catechesis on the Acts of the Apostles, 杏MAP导航 Francis focused this week on the first account of healing in the Book of Acts (Acts 3:3-6): Peter and John鈥檚 healing of the Paralytic.

鈥淚n the Acts of the Apostles鈥�, began 杏MAP导航 Francis, 鈥渢he preaching of the Gospel does not only rely on words, but on concrete actions that bear witness to the truth of the proclamation鈥�. These, said the 杏MAP导航, are wonders and signs, which 鈥渃onfirm鈥� the work of the Apostles, 鈥渟howing that they act in the name of Christ.鈥�

Neither silver nor gold

杏MAP导航 Francis explained that the beggar, in meeting the apostles, 鈥渄oes not find money, but the name that saves: Jesus Christ the Nazarene鈥�.

Peter as Church

Peter thenorders the paralytic to stand and, in taking his right hand, helps him up.

Through this, said 杏MAP导航 Francis, Peter personifies the Church, who 鈥渟ees those who are in difficulty, does not close her eyes, and knows how to look humanity in the face in order to create meaningful relationships, bridges of friendship and solidarity instead of barriers.鈥�

Acting in the name of Jesus

杏MAP导航 Francis then continued his comparison, explaining that the apostles look at the beggar and say "look at us". They reach out to him, they lift him up and they heal him. This, said the 杏MAP导航, is what Jesus does with all of us. Through bad times, in moments of sin, in moments of sadness, 鈥淛esus says to us 鈥楲ook at me: I am here!'" Therefore, said the 杏MAP导航, 鈥淟et us take the hand of Jesus and allow ourselves to be lifted up鈥�.

Finally, the 杏MAP导航 explained that Peter and John teach us not to trust in the means used to heal, which he said, 鈥渁re also useful鈥�. Rather, trust in 鈥渢he true wealth that is the relationship with the Risen One.鈥� "Let us not forget", concluded the 杏MAP导航, "that it is Jesus' hand that through our own helps others to rise".