< <  

Monday, May 11, 1998

  > >
Acts 14:5-18
Psalm 115
John 14:21-26

View Readings
Similar Reflections

christians have the most responsibility

"When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they cried out in Lycaonian, 'Gods have come to us in the form of men!' " —Acts 14:11

The people of Lystra thought Barnabas and Paul were gods who had come to them in the form of men. They were right that God had come to them. They were wrong because there is only one God. Moreover, God did not merely take on a human form; He became a human being (see Jn 1:14). Finally, God is not in a human form; He is in human beings who have been baptized into Him (Jn 14:23). There is one God, Who became a human being and lives within Christians. The people of Lystra were right about God's coming to them. They were wrong in that they did not understand or believe in monotheism, the Incarnation, and the divine indwelling in the baptized.

Because we Christians understand and believe so much more than most people in the world, we have much more responsibility than anyone else (see Lk 12:48). We have a very great responsibility to share the good news of the one God's Incarnation. With God in us, we can and should be free, pure, and holy as no one else can be without Him. Considering what we know, we must be holy, bold witnesses for Jesus to show our love for a world in darkness.

Prayer:  Father, I am amazed at Who You are, how much You love me, and what You have done.

Promise:  "Anyone who loves Me will be true to My word, and My Father will love him; We will come to him and make Our dwelling place with him." —Jn 14:23

Praise:  Through her prayers, love, and witness, Barbara brought her husband and all six of their children to faith in Jesus.

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, July 26, 1997


Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 29, 1997