Monday
of the Fifth Week of Easter
(Acts
14:5-18; John 14:21-26)
As often happens in John’s gospel, in today’s
passage someone questions Jesus and receives an indirect answer. In today’s passage Judas queries the Lord
regarding why he does not reveal himself to the world. Jesus’ response is typically oblique. He reiterates what he said about his and the
Father’s love abiding in whoever keeps his commandments. His hidden plan is to use this loyalty to reveal
himself to the world.
The first reading shows two ardent lovers of
the Lord preaching salvation to the world.
Paul and Barnabas. They showed
their love of Christ by enduring a stoning while preaching his name. They pick themselves up from the failure in
Iconium to proclaim Jesus in Lystra and Derbe.
There they attract people by their authority over evil spirits. When the people naively think that the two
are gods, they credit the God of Israel for their power. The pagan people, so accustomed to thinking
of the divine as having capricious power, have a hard time grasping the new
teaching.
Hopefully, we do much better, but there is
reason to wonder. Like the pagans of Lystra and Derbe we often show more
deference to physical than to spiritual power.
Many, both young and old, watch cartoons and cartoonish movies featuring
characters with disproportionate muscles.
Rather than show awe for this inanity, let us show our love for God
by loving one another.