Daily Retreat 05/11/09
2009 May 11 Mon:Easter Weekday
Acts 14:5-18/ Ps 114(115):1-2. 3-4. 15-16/ Jn 14:21-26
From today’s readings: “ We proclaim to you good news that you should turn from these idols to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and all that is in them.... May you be blessed by the LORD, who made heaven and earth.... The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name— He will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.”
Personal ups and downs
At Iconium, there was an attempt to stone Paul and Barnabas. Just a short day’s journey away, at Lystra, there was an attempt to worship Paul and Barnabas as gods! What a contrast in reception! And yet, the Apostles always focused more on the reception given God, than on the reception given to themselves.
Like Paul and Barnabas, we too experience ups and downs in the way people treat us. The natural tendency is to stew over those who reject us, but to bask in the favor of those who welcome us. But the Apostles had different criteria: it made little difference whether they personally were accepted, as long as Jesus was welcomed (cf. 1Cor. 1:10-17). Likewise, as at Lystra, if people’s enthusiasm for them personally surpassed their enthusiasm for God, they were dismayed rather than edified!
It’s difficult, but very Christian, to adopt the Apostles’ criteria as our own. So often, our best opportunity for evangelization comes at the moment we have center stage, and if we just have the humility to take one step backwards, the spotlight will be on God!
Acts 14:5-18/ Ps 114(115):1-2. 3-4. 15-16/ Jn 14:21-26
From today’s readings: “ We proclaim to you good news that you should turn from these idols to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and all that is in them.... May you be blessed by the LORD, who made heaven and earth.... The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name— He will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.”
Personal ups and downs
At Iconium, there was an attempt to stone Paul and Barnabas. Just a short day’s journey away, at Lystra, there was an attempt to worship Paul and Barnabas as gods! What a contrast in reception! And yet, the Apostles always focused more on the reception given God, than on the reception given to themselves.
Like Paul and Barnabas, we too experience ups and downs in the way people treat us. The natural tendency is to stew over those who reject us, but to bask in the favor of those who welcome us. But the Apostles had different criteria: it made little difference whether they personally were accepted, as long as Jesus was welcomed (cf. 1Cor. 1:10-17). Likewise, as at Lystra, if people’s enthusiasm for them personally surpassed their enthusiasm for God, they were dismayed rather than edified!
It’s difficult, but very Christian, to adopt the Apostles’ criteria as our own. So often, our best opportunity for evangelization comes at the moment we have center stage, and if we just have the humility to take one step backwards, the spotlight will be on God!
posted by FrPitstick | 5/07/2009
<< Home