Monday, May 16, 2022

 Monday of the Fifth Week of Easter

(Acts 14:5-18; John 14:21-26)

The reading from Acts today is rather comic.  The people take Paul and Barnabas to be gods.  The apostles have to tear their garments as a sign that they are mortal. The miracle story that provokes their identification as gods deserves our attention as well.

Luke, the author of Acts, writes that Paul saw that the crippled man “had the faith to be healed.”  What kind of faith is this?  How does it differ from other kinds of faith?  One is reminded of the men who lowered a paralytic through the roof so that Jesus might heal him.  The Lucan version of the story also notes how Jesus observes the men’s faith.  Faith in these cases is trust in Jesus.  It does not worry about the future or doubt Jesus’ care.  It knows that Jesus will resolve their problems because he loves them. 

For many, faith is adherence to a tradition of beliefs and customs.  It continually questions and is reluctant to accept all that Jesus teaches.  It does not  allow fervent personal prayer.  We should endeavor to transcend this rational faith in order to nurture trusting faith.  We must put aside anti-religious arguments as well as lesser gratification of desires.  We should also ask Jesus directly and sincerely for assistance.  When we do, we will find our situation improving.