TURNING SHADOWS INTO LIGHT - C: 2nd Sun in Easter

First Reading: Acts 5:12-16 (25 April 2022)

“Thus they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and mats so that when Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on one or another or them” (Acts 5:15).

This verse is quite unique because it narrates that Peter’s mere shadow could bring about true healing. This is unprecedented in the New Testament since the word “shadow” (skia in Greek) is generally used to describe a condition, which can be a negative situation such as in the phrase “shadow of death” (Mt 4:16; Lk 1:79) or a positive one such as in the expressions “shadow of the heavenly one” (Heb 8:5) or “shadow of the good things to come” (Heb 10:1). In Acts, however, this term is used to denote that a shadow can be God’s instrument in the realization of healing and miracles. This word in Acts 5:15 is put into a proactive trajectory, where it becomes, too, an important means of bringing people back to God.

This notion is clearly expressed in v. 16: “a great number of people would also gather from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all cured.”

The ironical thing is that, previously, Peter and the other disciples were presented in the beginning of Acts as scared and fearful to speak in the open. In fact, they were gathered in the safety of the Upper Room on the day of the Pentecost (Acts 2:1). However, after Holy Spirit’s indwelling on them in tongues of fire, they were all instantly “filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them” (v. 4). Explicitly mentioned thus here is the principle how the disciples were able to preach in an amazing language that was understandable to the entire crowd “because each one heard them speaking in his own language” (v. 6). This incoming of the Spirit to them brought about the first harvest of Christ’s crucifixion, where “about three thousand were added to their number that day” (v. 41).

Later, while walking in the temple-area to pray, Peter and John were met by a crippled man from birth (Acts 3:2), who asked for alms (v. 3). Having none, Peter healed him instead “in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth” (v. 6). Peter also took this opportunity to proclaim about the Resurrected Jesus (vv. 12-26). His bold message put him at odds with the Sanhedrin, who soon arrested (4:3) and put them into trial (vv. 5-22). This is not an isolated case for they were even persecuted in the narrative (cf. 5:17-42). Yet, they continued to witness to Jesus’s Lordship despite the troubles they would face.

Their boldness is founded in the fact that the Holy Spirit enveloped them and guided all their activities (cf. 2:4, 17-18, 33, 38; 4:8, 25, 31; 5:3, 9).

By analogy, we can also turn the so-called “shadows” of our Philippine society into miraculous moments of progress by allowing the Holy Spirit to direct our plans and decisions. As the national election is fast approaching this May 9, 2022, may we be open enough to the Spirit’s indwelling that we may be guided to choose candidates who have the true compassion for and aptitude to lead the Filipino people.

May we select only those who are also open to the Spirit’s prodding and have the genuine concern and capacity to turn the shadow pasts of the Philippine nation into a bright tomorrow, serving as a “liwanag sa dilim” (a light in our shadows).

- Rex Fortes, CM