Episode 22: The Life of Peter | Part 6 (Filled with the Holy Spirit)
After recapping how Peter’s pride, shame, and false self have been stripped away, Dr. Bob and Jake discuss the amazing transformation in Peter after his healing encounter with Jesus and being filled with the Holy Spirit. The series concludes with reflections on how each of us can find ourselves in Peter’s story and experience a similar transformation.
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Show Notes
Guiding Scripture
“Then Peter, filled with the holy Spirit, answered them, ‘Leaders of the people and elders’...” (Acts 4:8)
Key Points
Healing is more than getting away from our pain and going back into memories...the real issue is learning to live in a dependent, trusting relationship with Jesus and knowing our true identity in Him.
Healing is coming into our identity while living in humility and dependence on Jesus.
The model for all healing is the Paschal Mystery (Jesus’ passion, death, resurrection, ascension)
The Sacraments are the primary means of our healing
We all have space in our hearts for something more…what we fill it with makes all the difference.
Filled with the Spirit, Peter addresses the people he was originally afraid of
The Marian dimension of the Church precedes the Petrine
It requires humility to receive, on an ongoing basis, all that God has for us before, during, and after we lead.
Healing does occur with “specialists.” but ideally healing is a normal part of a healthy Christian community
Ideally we don’t just go to the Eucharist but we also live the Eucharist within our local community
Healing is an invitation beyond the relief of our symptoms. It’s an invitation to live and experience the Kingdom of God being at hand.
The Kingdom of God at hand is a good description of what a parish community is supposed to be
The disciples have an incredible shift from fear to faith after being filled with the Holy Spirit
We often see the world flipped upside down. After Pentecost, as seen in the Acts of the Apostles, the Apostles were finally living and seeing right side up
“Healing is an essential dimension of the apostolic mission and of Christianity. When understood at a sufficiently deep level, this expresses the entire content of redemption.” ~ Pope Benedict XVI
Our prayer can sometimes become an exercise not an encounter
We can reflect on Peter’s story and see where we are in a similar situation
Peter doesn’t orchestrate his own transformation, Jesus pursues him
It’s walking with Jesus over time where Peter is transformed. The same is true for us.
Peter’s story can be our story
Practical Application
Am I willing to first receive God, including His healing, before, during, and after I attempt to be a leader in His kingdom? What holds me back from living this?
As leaders, are we willing to admit our need and submit to a process of healing, before we lead?
The community in the upper room knows that their relationship with each other is dependent on their relationship with God. What would your friendships be like if you knew that too?
What is one step you can take to not just go to the Eucharist but also live the Eucharist within your local community?
Reflect over the whole of Peter’s life. What part of Peter’s life do you feel you are connected to the most? Where are you on the journey?
How do you avoid or push the Lord away when He is drawing near to you?
Where has your relationship with God become an exercise instead of an encounter?
