Recently my children and I studied the book of Acts. When we read today's first reading, the kids burst out in laughter. They thought it was hilarious that the Lycaonian people would mistake Paul and Barnabas for gods (Acts 14:11). They laughed even harder when they read about the elaborate sacrifices the people were attempting to offer to the apostles (Acts 14:13, 18).
The misguided Lycaonian folks were on to something big. If "the gods" were to come down to live among them "in the form of men," there could be only one possible response they could make: offer extravagant sacrifices, gather crowds of people to pass on the wonderful news, and generate enthusiastic responses to the incredible act of a god taking on human flesh.
It just so happens that this teaching is being written on the Feast of the Incarnation. We celebrate the astounding truth that Jesus Christ, the eternal God (Jn 1:1), indeed "became flesh and made His dwelling among us" (Jn 1:14). Jesus came to earth "in the likeness of men. He was known to be of human estate" (Phil 2:7). Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us (Mt 1:23). To save us and atone for our sins, Jesus had to become like us in every way and be our representative, our High Priest, before God (see Heb 2:17-18; 4:14–5:3).
We might be tempted to laugh at the Lycaonians for their absurdity. I suspect they would laugh at us for not rejoicing exuberantly, repenting completely, evangelizing zealously, and abandoning ourselves in worship at the feet of Jesus, God made Man.
| PRAYER: | Father, may I respond in a manner appropriate to what Jesus did in becoming a human being. Alleluia! Praise You, Jesus! |
| PROMISE: | "The Holy Spirit...will instruct you in everything, and remind you of all that I told you." –Jn 14:26 |
| PRAISE: | In certain situations when defending his faith, the Holy Spirit gives words and ideas to Eric of which he had no prior knowledge. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College