Wednesday in the Octave of Easter

Peter said, “I have neither silver nor gold, but what I do have I give you: in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean, rise and walk.” Then Peter took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles grew strong. He leaped up, stood, and walked around, and went into the temple with them, walking and jumping and praising God.

When someone helps us, we ought to praise God for bringing that person into our lives. It isn’t an accident or coincidence that we meet helpful, loving, and merciful people in our lives. It is a God-instance. Every good we receive comes from God because He is the source of all good. No one can be good without Him. He inspires us to do what is right through the commandments of the Father, the teachings of the Son, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This is why we too should jump up and praise Him when we are blessed in some way. Whether it is a great or small act of charity, a major or minor “miracle” in our lives, or a prayer answered, they all deserve an expression of our thanksgiving to God, our Good and Faithful Lord.

Do we praise God when others help us? Do we recognize Him as the source of all the good in our lives? How can we become living fonts of God’s Goodness?

O Lord, we praise you as the source of all goodness.

Amen.