Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. The crowds listened to what Philip said with one accord, because they heard about the signs he was doing and they saw them: unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed, crying out with a loud voice; and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed.
SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
ACTS 8:5-17
Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them.
The crowds listened to what Philip said with one accord, because they heard about the signs he was doing and they saw them: unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed, crying out with a loud voice; and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed.
The city was filled with joy.
Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit; for as yet he had fallen on none of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.
Continuing with images of the early Church, the ideas presented are similar to those of the previous Sundays. But there are some significant nuances.
First, the Church has gone out from Jerusalem, and not only to evangelize Jews residing in other places, but also the Samaritans, who were considered heretics and semi-pagans.
This is the first step towards breaking with Judaism and opening up to all nations. This step is not taken by one of “the twelve” but by the “deacon” Philip, of whom, by the way, it is said in Acts that he had four daughters who prophesied.
Second, those in Jerusalem seem to feel responsible for the communities that are emerging, and they send emissaries to visit them; this is the birth of what we would call “itinerant apostles.” The word “Apostles” here recovers its original meaning, that is, “sent ones.”
The twelve are sent by Jesus, and later, many others are sent by the communities, as happens with the journeys of Paul and Barnabas. But in addition, it is striking that the community of Jerusalem sends none other than Peter and John. Once again, the main protagonist of all decisions is the community.
1 PETER 3:15-18
But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit.
The letter “of Peter” offers reflections on the behavior of those who follow Jesus and a brief glimpse of the Christology “of Peter,” which actually belongs to a rather late period, somewhat imbued with the concept of vicarious satisfaction, which causes us some uneasiness.
José Enrique Galarreta, S.J.