Who Was I To Stand In God’s Way?

The first reading today from Acts 11:1-18 narrates the story on the disciples criticizing Peter why he visited and ate with the pagans. Peter told them his vision and how he saw the Spirit descended upon the pagans as well just like with them at the beginning.  He said, “Who was I to stand in God’s way?” They then gave glory to God saying, “God can evidently grant even the pagans the repentance that leads to life.”

When someone else, other groups, or communities are proclaiming God and are doing Gods work, we sometimes have the tendency to judge them adversarially just because they are not one of us, not with our group or with our community. Sometimes we unknowingly believe that it is just us, our community, our group can proclaim and do Gods work when in fact there are so many ways to proclaim and do Gods work. If others are used by God and are doing His work, who are we to stand in Gods way?

by aats