In the Gospel according to Luke, two disciples tell the others how in the breaking of the bread at Emmaus they recognized with their “eyes of faith” the new, transformed reality of Jesus Christ. As they recount this extraordinary experience, Jesus suddenly appears in their midst, shows them his wounds, and then eats with the disciples. Yes, God transformed the earthly, crucified Jesus into a new transcendent reality; and so too God will transform us.
The letter of John proclaims we have a Father in heaven and hence we are sons and daughters of God, heirs to his kingdom. Jesus Christ is our advocate, through whom God gifts us with his eternal life. To participate in God’s life, we must hear and do God’s Word.
In the Book of the Acts, we meet Peter. God gifted Peter with faith and courage so that he could proclaim the good news: that Jesus Christ is “the Holy and Righteous One,” the author of life, the long-awaited Messiah.
Peter concludes: “repent,” refocus your lives upon God, seek forgiveness and mercy, ask for the grace that God’s light may shine through your daily lives.
Though Peter often seemed impetuous, he always was ready to admit a mistake, to make amends. He was someone you could trust. It’s been said, “The true measure of character is what you do when nobody’s watching.”
Leo Tolstoy, the Russian novelist/philosopher, noted there is only one important question in life: what shall we do and how shall we live? I like to think that the apostle Peter would answer, “By being men and women of moral character.”
Men and women of character have a moral compass: an informed conscience. So what is conscience?
Conscience is closely associated with our feelings—we sometimes feel guilty—but conscience is more than feelings. It is a an almost instinctive power of judgment. Within each one of us, there is a tension to choose our better self or our worse self. Our conscience is a friendly guide in our quest to be true to our best self.
Now there’s a difference between character and personality. Our personality on the surface puts us in a category: cheerful, moody, and so on. Character, by contrast, is singular: defining who we are at the core of our inmost self. Character is ethical.
Character, by definition, is either good or bad. It manifests itself in choices each one of us must make about the fundamental values or virtues by which we live.
A person of moral character will choose the dignity of the person over impersonal business or material advantage, a respect for human beings over lust for pleasure, power, or personal success.
A person of character will “go the extra mile,” speak up for what is right, defend what is fair, take a stand on principle and conscience—yes, an informed conscience.
Persons of character will not simply “go along to get along.” They will try to choose what is true and good and right in all decisions, small and great, that affect work, relationships, and even leisure time.
Peter invites us to be men and women of character. Although he failed at times, he always picked himself up and started afresh to do the right thing.
Yes, I like to think that the quality of our life and our soul’s destiny will be measured by our character: going the extra mile to help someone in need; living up to our promises; working for the common good; trusting in an all good and compassionate God who is ever near to each one of us and who will bring us into eternal life.
May Peter whom we meet today in the Book of the Acts inspire us to be men and women of moral character.
