Monday of the Fifth Week of Easter
(Acts 14:5-18; John 14:21-26)
The almost comic way the people of Lystra begin to worship Paul and Barnabas in the reading from Acts is reminiscent of how many today idolize movie starlets and sports heroes. On fall Sundays not a few Texans glue their eyes on Dallas Cowboy quarterback Tony Romo rather than go to church. Likewise, the public craves pictures of Brittany Spears as if she were an incarnate divinity.
Paul and Barnabas have not only to prove their ordinariness but also to proclaim the wonder of God. So should we. We have to check our awe for headliners in favor a more discerning appreciation of people who graciously serve others. A step in this direction a decade ago was Bill Gates’ listing not the richest people in the world but those who give the most money away. Of course, Gates’ list would not include any widow giving her last mite, but it does divert popular attention from greed.
