The initial verses from chapter 3 of the Book of Acts in the New Testament tell about a day when Peter and John went up to the temple to pray.

        As they were going in, they noticed a handicapped man right next to the door. The man was taken there every day to beg for a few coins and goods.

        As he saw the two apostles passing by he begged them for something as Peter starred at him in the eyes and said: Look at us.

        The man looked back expecting they would give him something, but the old apostle said somewhat touched:

        Silver or gold I do not have. And right after that, he stretched his arms towards the poor man and with his eyes full of tears and his voice deeply touched he said:

        But what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.

        Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk.

        Let us meditate about such meaningful lesson. Let us think how the world would be if all men decided to give what they have in order to contribute the general welfare.

        Still today, many of us say: How can I give what I don’t have? And others say: When I have something, then I’ll give it.

        Nevertheless, we do not need the perishable goods from Earth to provide for real welfare.

        The generous man will give away money and goods to the needy ones he finds throughout his way, but if he has not felt the love, which is his legitimate wealth, he will not internalize the light and happiness that grow from donation.

        We all carry with us the noble qualities once conquered and nobody is so poor not to donate him/herself.

        Peter offered his love to the poor man and gave him his healthy legs back, which made the man no longer a beggar.

        Having been cured, the possibility of finding a job and making his living out of it are now real.

        We can also donate what we have now, at this very precious moment.

        All those who expect to have money and land in order to start contributing are in fact way too far from the possibility of helping themselves.

        Donating ourselves is serving with no interest. It is offering our time and abilities. There is so much to give, once each creature on Earth holds an enormous fortune rose throughout the centuries, along the many lives we have lived.

        Such fortune is not meant to be kept in safes or banks, but in the intimacy of the heart and in the clarity of mind.

* * *

        Jesus’ apostle so-called Peter, was named Simon.

        He was born in Bethsaida, but he was living in Capernaum when he met Jesus.

        Peter is the male form for the word rock in Greek. Maybe that is why he has been given the nickname of Cephas (which means rock in Aramaic) by Jesus from the very first moment.

Spiritist Moment Team based on verses 1 to 8, from chapter 3 of the Book of Acts; on chapter XXVI from Esquina de pedra, from Wallace Leal Rodrigues. Published house O Clarim and on verse Pedro (I) from Dicionário enciclopédico da bíblia, from A. Van den Born. Published house Vozes.
March 03 2008