“Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour, and a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us”. So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give to you; In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise and walk.” And he took him by the hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them-walking, leaping, and praising God.” Acts 3:1-8 (NKJV)
Were such an encounter to occur today between a lame beggar and two Churchmen, I’m certain there would be great effort toward getting the man a meal and some clothes and possibly medical attention. Contrast this with Peter and John’s actions. Unlike them, we have many available options that enable us to aid those in need; sometimes having too many options can get in the way of a need. We can easily focus on the aid we are able to give and overlook a more important need that can’t be met by material means, a need that can only be met by grace and mercy.
Some years ago I heard this about St. Thomas Aquinas; upon entering the presence of Pope Innocent II., before whom a large sum of money was spread, the Pope observed, “You see, the Church is no longer in that age in which she said ‘Silver and gold have I none’.” “True Holy Father,” replied Aquinas; “neither can she any longer say to the lame, ‘Rise up and walk’.” (St. Thomas Aquinas. Familiar Short Sayings of Great Men- S.A. Bent)
Is it possible that the focus of the Church has become material? Are we too concerned with the trappings of wealth and comfort, and too little with the needs of the lame and broken? Having built great houses for gathering we too often leave His work undone; “freely you have received, freely give” Mt:10:8.
