Monday 19 May 2025. Readings: Acts 14:5-18, Ps. 115:1-4,15-16, John 14:21-26
“When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, ‘The gods have come down to us in human form!’ Barnabas, they called Zeus, and Paul, they called Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.” (Acts 14:11-12)
In today’s first reading, Paul and Barnabas fled for their lives upon hearing a rumour that a combined team of the Gentiles and the Jews were planning to molest them and stone them. Why did they run for their dear lives? There is a difference between exercising one’s faith and acting irrationally (throwing caution to the wind). Unfortunately, many Christians do not know where to draw the line.
Some time ago, we heard of a confident man of God who claimed he could jump into the lion’s den and be unharmed. At first, the lions left him in peace. He started shouting: “Do you see? The lions can’t harm me.” The noise rattled the lions, and one of them came from behind him and dealt a terrible blow. Remember the words of Jesus: “Behold, I send you out as sheep amid wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” (Matthew 10:16). By running away, Paul and Barnabas applied the wisdom.
Running away when you can is not a sign of timidity or lack of faith. In Matthew 2:13-15, an Angel warned Joseph to flee to Egypt to escape Herod’s planned massacre. Jesus escaped on several occasions when people wanted to kill Him because it was not yet His time. In Luke 4:28-30, Jesus’ townsfolk took him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, and they wanted to throw him down headlong, but Jesus slipped through the crowds. In John 8:59, the Jews took up stones to stone Jesus, but Jesus hid Himself. Again, in John 10:31-35, they picked up stones to throw at Jesus, but Jesus escaped. However, at the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus knew it was time to surrender.
On the other hand, by running away, Paul and Barnabas followed Jesus’ instruction in Luke 9:5, “Wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town, shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” Salvation is not by force. In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus stated that He will manifest Himself only to those who keep His commandments.
God will not force you if you are unwilling to obey or listen. Judas asked: “Why would you manifest yourself to us and not the world?” Jesus replied: “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words.” (John 14:23-24).
A man gave his son an old wristwatch to sell. “If anyone asks the price, don’t say anything, just point out two fingers.” The boy went to the local market, where a young man asked the price, and the boy raised two fingers. The man asked: “Do you mean two dollars?” The boy took the watch to a pawn shop. When the dealer saw it, he said: “This is a classic watch; I think you mean twenty dollars.” The boy took the watch to a museum, and surprisingly, someone offered to buy it for two hundred dollars. Still, the boy took the watch to an antique trade fair, and a man offered to buy it for two million dollars.
Never judge your worth by the negative behaviour of others. Did Jesus remain in Nazareth after He was rejected? He didn’t need to force anyone to believe; he left them and went elsewhere. The same Barnabas and Paul who ran like thieves from Iconium became gods at Lystra. Barnabas became Zeus, and Paul; they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker. For healing a cripple who had never walked from birth, they could not stop the people from offering sacrifices to them. Go where you are appreciated.
Never give up on yourself when others reject you. Their rejection might turn out to be a blessing in disguise.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, draw us nearer to you daily. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Monday of the 5th week of Eastertide, Liturgical Colour: White. Bible Study: Acts 14:5-18, Ps. 115:1-4,15-16, John 14:21-26).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu