Bright Saturday; The Holy Hieromartyr Antipas, Bishop of Pergamos in Asia.
Acts 3:11-16; John 3:22-33.
Read Acts 3:11-16
Peter’s message to those who ran to see the ones who had healed the lame man is direct and unsettling. Peter and John had not healed of their own power; it was not a human achievement. It was the work of Christ Jesus – the Holy and Righteous One whom people had rejected chose a murderer instead. Peter’s candor helps them realize that God overturned their judgment by raising Jesus from the dead, and that he and John and all the apostles now stand as witnesses—not only to the Resurrection as a past event, but to that ongoing power of the Resurrection.
The heart of the passage lies in Peter’s words: “His name, by faith in His name, has made this man strong.” The name of Jesus is not a mere formula. It is His very living presence at work now as it was when He lived among us. The healing reveals that Christ continues to restore and strengthen.
Even today, we see and know that healing through the Holy Mysteries of Baptism, Chrismation, the Eucharist, Holy Anointing, Confession, and, yes, even Marriage and Holy Orders. And then the Lord at times, beyond our expectation and ability to explain, heals and restores, and strengthens miraculously.
This ought to cause us to reflect on the Lord’s movement and work in our midst, and even challenge us to humility. Whatever good we do is not our own accomplishment; it is but grace at work in us. Like Peter, we are called to redirect attention away from ourselves and toward Christ, who alone heals and gives life.
Christ is risen!