MEN, WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS…

Acts 14:5-18 
5 When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to molest them and to stone them,6 they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surroding country;7 and there they preached the gospel.8 Now at Lystra there was a man sitting, who could not use his feet; he was a cripple from birth, who had never walked.
9 He listened to Paul speaking; and Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well,10 said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and walked.11 And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!”
12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, because he was the chief speaker, they called Hermes.13 And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the people.14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out among the multitude, crying,15 “Men, why are you doing this? We also are men, of like nature with you, and bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.16 In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways;17 yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good and gave you from heaven rains and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.”18 With these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.

John 14:21-26 

He who has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me; and he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?”
23 Jesus answered him, “If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.24 He who does not love me does not keep my words; and the word which you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me.25 “These things I have spoken to you, while I am still with you.26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

MEDITATION 

THE FIRST READING: When it became apparent that the Jews had stirred up and poisoned the minds of the Gentiles and their leaders, to stone the apostolic delegates inspite of the signs and wonders emminating from their hands and preaching, Paul, Barnabas and their entourage had no choice but to flee from Inconium to Lystra where a cripple man’s inability to walk was miraculously restored by Paul. 

Enamoured by the miracle restoration of the body of one of their own men, the pagan leadership showered the Apostles with flowers and proceeded to offer a pagan sacrifice. Both Paul and Barnabas tore their garments ordering the folks to not elevate their status, because they were ordinary men just like them, save for the fact that they worshipped a living God!

THE GOSPEL READING: On the verge of being arrested and scourged, our Lord reafirm His desire that the Apostles be humble and keep His commandments, whislt they remember and apply the Father’s Sacramental teachings that are purposed to change hearts, minds to reform and heal the afflicted and downtrodden.To be sure our Lord never penned a document wherefore some of His Apostles and disciples were divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit to eventually pen the Gospels and epistles some sixty plus years after Pentecost. 

To be clear, Pope Damacus and the presbyteroi by divine inspiration defined the canon of scripture at three councils at Hippo and Carthage between 380-397 where 27 NT and 46 OT books were authenticated as being divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit, which became the handbook whereby the presbyteroi humble proclaim the Good news by making Christ present to all nations in the seven Holy Sacraments as commanded by Christ. A presbyter, a man who has been gifted to perform miracles by changing ordinary bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ require our continues prayers, so they never appeal to false gods, misrepresent or make a mockery of Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition!

LET US PRAY:Psalms 115:1-4,15-16 

1 Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to thy name give glory, for the sake of thy steadfast love and thy faithfulness!2 Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?”3 Our God is in the heavens; he does whatever he pleases.4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.15 May you be blessed by the LORD, who made heaven and earth!16 The heavens are the LORD’s heavens, but the earth he has given to the sons of men.

Commentary. Henry R SYLVESTER Note: The daily scripture readings are taken from the Roman Missal which the Catholic Church use in the daily Celebration of the Holy Eucharist throughout the world.Some weekly readings may differ because of the celebration of local feast days.