In

today’s story we see the apostles Peter and John going together to

the temple to pray. This picture of devotion and community is

contrasted with that of a beggar “being carried to the temple gate

called Beautiful” and left to beg for his daily bread from the

people going into the temple courts.

At

busy intersections in cities today, we can sometimes see people

holding signs asking for food or money. Though we may wonder if they

are truthful about their situation, we all know what happens when we

come across them. We usually avoid making eye contact. We avoid

seeing them.

But

the apostles did not avoid making eye contact. Our passage says that

Peter looked straight at the man who was lame and even asked him to

look at him and John. Expect­ing some coins of silver or gold,

the man looked up.

Peter’s

next words would have been discouraging to a person begging: “Silver

or gold I do not have. . . .” But then came words of

healing “in the name of Jesus Christ,” and, beyond his wildest

dreams, the man was able to walk and jump for joy. So he followed

along with the apostles, praising God in the temple courts. Now that

is Beautiful!