Across the Threshold

"When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and, falling at his feet, paid him homage. Peter, however, raised him up, saying, 'Get up. I myself am also a human being.' " - Acts 10:25-26

Cornelius (and his household) were Gentiles. And as such, it was forbidden by Jewish law for Peter (a Jew) to walk into their house. But Cornelius had made a pretty big claim - that an Angel of God had told him to summon Peter to his house to hear what Peter had to say. And not wanting to lose out on spreading the good word, Peter enters his home, and begins to talk about Jesus with them.

There's a silent testament to this as well - certainly Peter is breaking Jewish law by entering his house. That's quite obvious (he talks about it upon entering Cornelius's home). But his comment about him being a 'human being' - it must have taken a lot of self control to say that. After all, an Angel of God came down and told Cornelius about Peter -- how could you not feel a sense of importance, a sense of entitlement, to the homage paid at your feet? But Peter, knowing the whole story, and being one who physically walked with Jesus, knows he's just a servant of Jesus - just a messenger bringing the Good News, and nothing more. That Jesus is the 'big deal' - the one whom homage must be paid to.

I also have to believe that this was a pivotal moment for Peter. God has made it quite clear that this is the path that he must follow - so clear that He's preparing folks before Peter gets there. It'll help Peter later on, when he must stick to his mission, no matter what...


Note: The first reading this week is from Acts, and is quite well portioned for Lectio Divina. There's an important message throughout this reading, an example for us to follow by the disciples. That's why I've chosen to use this, instead of the Gospel.