Mtr Beth Clarke

Friends in Christ,

Today we celebrate the feast of Cornelius the Centurion, and his story is truly dramatic.

While he is remembered as the first Gentile to convert to Christianity, Cornelius and his family already prayed regularly to the God of Israel, gave generously, and helped those in need. One day, an angel appears to Cornelius and tells him to send for Peter. Yes, that Peter.

Meanwhile, Peter has his own vision. He sees the heavens open and a large sheet being lowered, filled with different kinds of animals. A voice tells him to rise, kill, and eat—a violation of Jewish dietary practices. But the voice persists: “What God has made clean, you must not call profane.”

As Peter ruminates on the message, Cornelius’ messengers arrive. Peter accompanies them to Cornelius’ home. His decision to enter Cornelius’ house should not be understated; he crosses a profound religious and social boundary.

As Peter shares the Good News, something of a second Pentecost occurs. The Holy Spirit falls upon Cornelius and his household, and they speak in tongues. The gift received at the first Pentecost is now poured out upon Gentiles, too.

As remarkable as this is, something even more profound may be happening here. Both men experience a conversion. Peter must relinquish his assumptions about who can belong to God’s people, and Cornelius, a Roman official, must receive the Good News from Peter, who by all worldly measures is a lowly Jewish fisherman. Both are called into humility. Both must humble themselves to receive what God is offering.

God is already at work in both their lives, but they both must enter a radical humility to recognize and participate more deeply in God’s work. And in these profound acts of humility, mercy is revealed to both.

Perhaps this is the takeaway for us today: Humility of spirit changes both the person proclaiming the Good News and the person receiving it. Both must let go to gain something.

What might we be called to let go of to make more room for the Holy Spirit?

Yours in Christ,

—Mtr Beth