Focus

Experience silence in the midst of your busy day. Take some time to relax into a time to be with God.

Read

Acts 4:1-12 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

While Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came to them, much annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming that in Jesus there is the resurrection of the dead. So they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. But many of those who heard the word believed; and they numbered about five thousand.

The next day their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. When they had made the prisoners stand in their midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. This Jesus is

‘the stone that was rejected by you, the builders;
it has become the cornerstone.’

There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.”

Reflect

When I was in Clinical Pastoral Education, a question we pondered is by what power or by what name do we do our work as chaplains. Serving in ecumenical settings, chaplains are sensitive to the differing faiths of persons coming to the hospital to be served. This in no way meant that our faith was less than or wrong, or conversely that their faith was less than or wrong. It simply meant that we needed a clear understanding of our boundaries. And it helped us not to be judgmental about other’s faith. As a Chaplain, we represent the faith

It seems to me that the love and grace of Jesus Christ is so big and beautiful, that we can hold to our beliefs and love others who believe differently without causing distress and undue hardship on them. The question Peter and John were asked, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” is the same question we need to answer. We may find that what we think we are doing in Jesus name is actually being done in our own name. Consider what you think you are doing in Jesus’ name. It is for Jesus or is it for you?

Pray

Loving God, we often get confused on what we are doing in your name because sometimes we need it to be in our name. We look for ways to add stars to our crowns or prop up our egos. However, when we are doing things in your name, help us to see that you are working in and through us – and that we are serving a much greater good than our small little selfish interests. Amen

Go with God!