In the Book of Acts 3:1 -10 – the lectionary text for today, Wednesday after Easter – Peter and John are on their way to the temple in Jerusalem for prayers. At the gate they encounter a crippled man who daily sat there begging for “change”. He is not named – he is anonymous – like so many in public places like Fountain Square in Cincinnati, or anywhere else in any major city.
Peter says to the beggar, “Look at us!” Imagine the expectation in the man's eyes! But then Peter says, “We have no change!”. Expectation in the man's eyes changes to disappointment.
Is this not typical of many encounters on the streets of Cincinnati and elsewhere? They are there daily, with expectation in their eyes for a moment, followed by disappointment.
Peter says to the beggar, “We don't have silver or gold, but we will give you what we have”. And what they gave him was larger than the “change” he expected and was used to. He regained wholeness.
There is no denying that relatively, we are a very rich community as a nation. God knows what “change” goes to helping the elderly, the poor, the homeless and the disenfranchised. Yet, our vision continues to diminish as even that “small change” is poised to be cut and even eliminated.
During this National Volunteer Month, we can perhaps dream big and embrace a larger vision that utilizes talents, treasure and time to make life for the weak better.
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