Peter's vision of the sheet with animals
Treasures of the Bible, 1894
My dear friends,
In the tapestry of human existence, different threads of beliefs, traditions, and cultures weave together to create a rich and vibrant mosaic. The teachings of Acts 11:1-18 can be likened to this interconnectedness, reminding us of the value of understanding and unity in our diverse world.
who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles
had also accepted the word of God.
So when Peter went up to Jerusalem,
the circumcised believers criticized him,
saying, "Why did you go to uncircumcised men
and eat with them?"
Just as the waters of a calm lake can be disturbed by a single pebble, so too can the equilibrium of a community be disrupted by unfamiliar events. The news of Gentiles receiving the Word of God shook the early Christian community. It challenged their traditional beliefs and practices. But like all discomfort, it also brought an opportunity for growth and enlightenment.
"I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision.
There was something like a large sheet coming down from heaven,
being lowered by its four corners; and it came close to me.
As I looked at it closely I saw four-footed animals, beasts of prey, reptiles, and birds of the air.
I also heard a voice saying to me, 'Get up, Peter; kill and eat.'
But I replied, 'By no means, Lord; for nothing profane or unclean has ever entered my mouth.'
But a second time the voice answered from heaven,
'What God has made clean, you must not call profane.'
This happened three times; then everything was pulled up again to heaven."
The instruction that nothing God has cleansed should be called common or unclean is groundbreaking. It signifies that the Gospel was meant for all, not just the Jews. The threefold repetition underscores the clarity and certainty of this divine revelation. It leaves no room for doubt in Peter's mind, ensuring that he grasps the weight of the message.
The Spirit told me to go with them and not to make a distinction between them and us.
These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man's house.
He told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying,
'Send to Joppa and bring Simon, who is called Peter;
he will give you a message by which you and your entire household will be saved.'"
Cornelius, a Gentile and a centurion (commander of a group of 100 Roman soldiers), was recognized for his piety and reverence. The universality of the Divine's reach is emphasized here. The call from the angel to Cornelius is a testament to the idea that virtue and goodness transcend boundaries, labels, and socially assigned roles.
And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said,
'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'
If then God gave them the same gift that he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ,
who was I that I could hinder God?"
When they heard this, they were silenced. And they praised God, saying,
"Then God has given even to the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life."
In immeasurable love and compassion there is no favoritism, no partiality. As the rain showers upon all without discrimination, so does the gift of the Spirit. This revelation silenced the dissent and filled the hearts of the early Christians with wonder and gratitude. We too, in our individual spiritual paths, should remember that the essence of our teachings is love, compassion, and wisdom.
This passage encourages us to widen our horizons, to look beyond mere labels and to embrace the universal truth of interconnectedness. Let us walk on our spiritual paths, respecting and honoring the diversity of beliefs, and remembering that the ultimate goal is to cultivate love and compassion for all sentient beings.