As [Peter and Cornelius] continued to talk, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. He said to them, “You all realize that it is forbidden for a Jew to associate or visit with outsiders. However, God has shown me that I should never call a person impure or unclean. For this reason, when you sent for me, I came without objection (Acts 10:27-29)
Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears Him and does what is right. You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all (Acts 10:34-36).
O God, You are Lord of all. We worship You, the desire of all nations, light to all people. You have shown us Your love for all the world, tearing down, through Christ, barriers, and divisions and all that separates. You declared with His birth peace, favor, and goodwill to all humanity (Luke 2:14).
O Father thank You for Your corrective instruction when our limited horizons and our faulty expectations get in the way! Lord, You desire to purify us, and to change us to be like You in every way. Thank You that in this process You reveal our prejudices and our blind spots and challenge us to step out of our "enclosures" in faith and love.
Lord, often You draw us as You did the apostle Peter, to a deeper understanding of Your ways. When our "religious restrictions" get in the way, You tear down our "constructs" and our misguided "principles," opening us to Your vision by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Your word tell us that [God] has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life (2 Corinthians 3:6).
Thank You for Your life-giving Spirit! Thank You that through Your Spirit, You help us to tear down barriers and bring us to unity as You did with Peter and Cornelius. Help us, like them to listen to Your instruction, and to step out in love and simple surrender.
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