WEDNESDAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER

What I do have I give you. 

You may have heard stories of people who spend years living on meager means because they are unaware that a distant relative has left them a huge fortune.   It’s sad to see someone struggling day-to-day when help is just a bank account away.

Sometimes on a spiritual level, we can be just like this as we scrape by, unaware of all the riches Jesus has left for us.   This is one way to approach today’s first reading (Acts 3:1 – 10).   As Peter and John stand before a man begging at the Temple gate, they know how rich they have become.   They had lived with Jesus and witnessed his passion, death, and resurrection.   As they waited for the promised Holy Spirit, they grew in understanding of the redemption he had won for all people.   Then on Pentecost, Peter boldly proclaimed Jesus to a huge crowd of people (Acts 2:13-39).

All these events convinced Peter and John that their spiritual bank account had seen a sudden infusion of wealth.   That’s why Peter was so confident as he grasped this man’s hand and raised him to his feet.

You have a spiritual bank account too.   It contains the grace God put there when you were baptized.   It also contains all the grace he has been giving you every day since then.   This grace is a free gift, as surprising as an unexpected inheritance.   Divine mercy, access to your heavenly Father, the power of the Holy Spirit—it’s all there for you.

So use it!   Every time you repent and go to Confession, you’re making a withdrawal of mercy.   Every time you pray with a friend, you are taking hold of Jesus’ power to bring healing and comfort.   Every time you show patience with an insistent child or annoying coworker, you’re drawing on the grace that Christ has given you.

Always remember that you are a child of God and a coheir of heaven with Jesus.   You are not a spiritual pauper—you are wildly rich!   Christ is in you; he has made his life available to you.   Like Peter and John, you can draw on your inheritance any time—and share it with the people around you.

“Jesus, thank you for the vast inheritance you have given me.   Show me how to share this wealth with other people today.”

Psalm 105:1-4, 6-9
Luke 24:13-35