Peter Enters the Home of Cornelius, the Gentile

Text: Acts 10:17-33

Reflection and Question: The Jewish purity laws forbid Peter to eat certain animals and also prohibit any contact with certain people, including Gentiles like Cornelius who has sent for Peter to come to his house. Cornelius has been described as a devout and upright man. His greeting to Peter is humble and forthright: “An angel told me to send for you, thank you for coming, so what has the Lord commanded you to say?” Are you as willing to greet the unclean as Peter is here?

Prayer: God of all the nations, it took courage for Cornelius to send for Peter and courage for Peter to respond by entering a Roman’s house. Give us this same courage to follow the dreams, visions and angels who direct us beyond our comfort zones. Amen.

This meditation is based on the Daily Lectionary Year 1 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).