On the following day he entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and, falling at his feet, paid him homage. 26 Peter, however, raised him up, saying, “Get up. I myself am also a human being.” 27 While he conversed with him, he went in and found many people gathered together 28 and said to them, “You know that it is unlawful for a Jewish man to associate with, or visit, a Gentile, but God has shown me that I should not call any person profane or unclean. 29 And that is why I came without objection when sent for. May I ask, then, why you summoned me?” 30 Cornelius replied, “Four days ago at this hour, three o’clock in the afternoon, I was at prayer in my house when suddenly a man in dazzling robes stood before me and said, 31 ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your almsgiving remembered before God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and summon Simon, who is called Peter. He is a guest in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’ 33 So I sent for you immediately, and you were kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to listen to all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”
Peter arrived at Cornelius’ home accompanied by six of the brothers from Joppa (Acts 11:12). Cornelius, eager to hear the message Peter was bringing, had gathered his relatives and close friends, In a gesture of reverence, Cornelius knelt before Peter. However, Peter rejected this act of homage by instructing Cornelius to stand, emphasizing their equality as human beings before God and the importance of worshiping God alone rather than men.
Peter then addressed the assembled group acknowledging that traditional Jewish Law prohibited Jews from closely associating with Gentiles. He explained that he came when summoned by Cornelius because he received a divine revelation showing him that no person should be considered impure or excluded from God's grace based on ethnicity or background. Peter asked Cornelius why had been summoned and Cornelius recounted his vision and the angel's instruction to send for Peter. Everyone gathered was eager to hear Peter proclaim God’s message.
Almighty God, grant us the grace to overcome our prejudices and embrace all people with the same openness and humility, knowing that Your love transcends every boundary. Guide us to share Your message with courage and compassion, as we strive to see Your presence in every person we meet. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
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Sources:
- Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, 1990.
- Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
- Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
- Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
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