5th Week of Easter (A) : Monday 8th May 2023

How easily human beings are deceived when discerning what is of God and what is not. The passage from Acts narrates the incident where, in Lystra, Paul heals a lame man. On witnessing this, the people ignorantly treat Paul and Barnabas as gods. Paul and Barnabas stress the importance of knowing and believing the God who created everything. They try to explain to the people that worshipping humans or many gods is folly.

This sentiment is expressed by the psalmist who says that true honour is not to be given to human beings but to God: “Not to us, Lord, not to us but to Your name give the glory….” The psalm was written at a time when Israel was experiencing misery and humiliation, which caused the neighbouring nations to taunt: “Where is your God?” The psalmist answers with a counter-taunt, that is, the gods of Israel’s neighbours are impotent because they are “man-made”: Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands.”

Jesus tells His disciples that just as they see Him now, they will soon know His union with the Father, which He will share with them. In response, Judas (not Iscariot) questions whether they are to expect a visible return of Christ with majesty, accompanied by a display of heavenly glory. Jesus, however, reveals that He meant that the Father will come to those who love and will dwell with them. Indeed, God does not think and act as human beings want Him to.

Lord, help me discern Your true will for us.