Astonished Again
People would lay him daily at the gate of the temple called the Beautiful Gate so that he could ask for alms from those entering the temple. When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked them for alms. Peter looked intently at him, as did John, and said, ‘Look at us.’ And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, ‘I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk.’ And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. Jumping up, he stood and began to walk, and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. All the people saw him walking and praising God, and they recognized him as the one who used to sit and ask for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
While he clung to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s Porch, utterly astonished. When Peter saw it, he addressed the people …
(Acts 3:1-12a)
Anina noted the passage of time. How long did Peter speak before they hauled him away?
She tried to keep up with Thomas as he pushed through the crowd. They both wanted to speak to Claudio. But now he was completely surrounded. Over the commotion, they could hear him shouting. Barely.
“Look, you know me … my whole life … Jesus the Nazarene …”
He’s a big deal now, she thought. For the moment, at least.
Thomas looked around. Had all the soldiers departed with Peter and John? Were there police agents nearby, watching?
His face close to his sister’s ear, he spoke loudly.
“Ahot, we should go.”
A blank expression. He took her arm.
“Let’s get out of here!”
Leaving behind the pandemonium, they moved away quickly from the temple precincts.
“Another miracle,” Thomas declared.
A miracle?
“Clearly,” she replied.
“Peter. Or John. Or both of them. They must have used the Lord’s power.”
“Or he used theirs.”
From behind them, a voice.
“Thomas!”
It was Claudio. Somehow he had broken free from the excited mob.
“Thomas,” he said, breathlessly. “And your esteemed sister.”
Esteemed sister?
“Claudio, you know my name.”
“Of course, Anina. I know you.”
“What happened back there?” Thomas asked him.
They found a place to sit and rest. Claudio told them his story.