Easter 3: First Reading, Acts 2:14a; 36-41

This is St. Peter on Pentecost. Not the first Pentecost mind you, but the working out of God’s plan to bring Pentecost to its fulfillment in Christ Jesus. I am one who believes the Book of Acts has enormous lessons for the church. Not just the church portrayed there but the church of all ages. However, we have become adept at mixing and sometimes outright changing what God desires that we use to win the lost. We love St. Francis’ alleged quote, “Preach the gospel, and if necessary use words,'' or a more modern take on that, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” Neither one of those ideas is a biblical one in and of themselves. Please do NOT misread me here, the extending of God’s love and mercy can be a pivotal piece in winning people to Christ. But it is not the primary piece.

St. Paul tells us in Romans 1:16 that the gospel itself is the power of God for salvation. Really? Do you mean to tell me, truth told to a sinner has the power to change a man or woman who has lived their entire life opposed to, or even ignorant of the counsels of God? Look at St. Peter in our reading: “Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified” (2:36). Even a truncated version of the message rips wide open the hearts of Peter’s hearers to the point of, “Brothers what shall we do?” in the very next verse. The question for you and me on this day is what changes the heart? Sharing the love of Christ with those in need is always critically important. But it must have the proclamation of the gospel tied to it.

How do we know? Because there are many agencies in the world who do tremendous work for the needy, but it doesn’t save their souls. Even when churches reach out and give without the message, that’s not enough to prepare the soul for eternity. No, the Book of Acts and all its preachers make crystal clear that the truth must be proclaimed. In this season where love expressed is so very necessary, let us not forget what makes the love of God most clear.