It would be to lessen somewhat the importance of the death and resurrection of Jesus to stress too much their impact on the life of any one person. For Peter Jesus' death and resurrection demanded an answer from a whole people - the Jewish people. Did they or did they not recognise Jesus as the one who would bring them hope and the ability to live up to the glory of the name "People of God"?

Already in Luke 23:48 we see at least some of those who stood around the cross of Jesus returning home, beating their breasts in repentance for any part, however small, they might have had in the death of Jesus, Here in Acts Luke again shows us a substantial number of Jews responding favourably to words which must have shaken them and raised questions in their hearts.

We, too, are also called, by accounts of Jesus' death and resurrection to a change of mind and heart that will be manifested in the conduct of our lives. In God's goodness some word, some happening may "cut us to the heart", not very dramatically and suddenly perhaps, but with a quiet and gentle insistence. Such a call may lead us to a more stable following of the Lord.

Mary of today's Gospel must have experienced some such encounter with Christ. What was it? Would prayer to her enlighten us as to its nature?