Monday of the Fifth Week of Easter

Today's Mass Readings

Today’s first reading from the Acts of the Apostles goes together nicely with the responsorial Psalm: Not to us Lord, but to your name give the glory” (Ps115:1). In a sense, this verse from Psalm 115 is a kind of summary of what Paul and Barnabas are trying to teach the people of Lystra. Furthermore, they are trying to explain the message about Jesus. They are preaching the gospel at Lystra, but confusion ensues when Paul heals a crippled man. The crowd thinks that Paul and Barnabas are themselves gods, specifically manifestations of the Greek gods Zeus and Hermes. When Paul and Barnabas discover that the crowd, along with a priest of Zeus, attempt to offer animal sacrifices in worship of Paul and Barnabas, these two “apostles” are distraught. So they begin to explain that they are merely human, just like the individuals in the crowd. They are trying to get the people to realize that the gods they are worshipping are false gods, and that they need to worship God instead, and stop their animal sacrifices. They are basically telling them that the one true God alone is worthy of worship. To Him be all glory.

By giving all the glory to God, Paul and Barnabas are merely being obedient to Jesus words in today’s gospel reading. In their passionate love for God, they are only being obedient to Jesus’ commandments (Jn 14:23). Consequently, their obedience makes them the dwelling place of God” (Jn 14:25), and they become instruments of God’s power.

The examples of Paul and Barnabas are good examples for us all. We may often find that God uses us, in amazing ways, in the lives of others. This is especially true of us who are professionals. Whether as teachers, medical personnel, law enforcement, and even religious workers sometimes the temptation is to see ourselves as indispensable. It is easy to play “savior” or “god.” We must always keep in mind that to God alone belongs the glory. This Easter season, let us glorify God in our hearts, through our lives of loving service, and at the Eucharistic Liturgy, celebrating Christ who is risen.

- Maria Morrow