The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today assure us of the Presence of the Holy Spirit in our actions to share the love and Word of God.
In the Reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Paul and Barnabas preach at Lystra.
* [14:8–18] In an effort to convince his hearers that the divine power works through his word, Paul cures the cripple. However, the pagan tradition of the occasional appearance of gods among human beings leads the people astray in interpreting the miracle. The incident reveals the cultural difficulties with which the church had to cope. Note the similarity of the miracle worked here by Paul to the one performed by Peter in Acts 3:2–10. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 115 offers a response to the enemy taunt, “Where is your God?”
* [Psalm 115] A response to the enemy taunt, “Where is your God?” This hymn to the glory of Israel’s God (Ps 115:1–3) ridicules the lifeless idols of the nations (Ps 115:4–8), expresses in a litany the trust of the various classes of the people in God (Ps 115:9–11), invokes God’s blessing on them as they invoke the divine name (Ps 115:12–15), and concludes as it began with praise of God. Ps 135:15–18 similarly mocks the Gentile gods and has a similar litany and hymn (Ps 135:19–21). (Psalms, PSALM 115 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Gospel of John, Jesus declares “The Advocate will come to you”
* [14:22] Judas, not the Iscariot: probably not the brother of Jesus in Mk 6:3 // Mt 13:55 or the apostle named Jude in Lk 6:16 but Thomas (see note on Jn 11:16), although other readings have “Judas the Cananean.” (John, CHAPTER 14, n.d.)
Elvin Cardoso, S.J. comments that true recognition comes not from seeking praise, but from being a vessel through which God’s amazing work is revealed.
Perhaps we can take a moment to reflect on our own lives and recognize the transformations that have occurred amidst difficulties and suffering. Our faith isn’t defined by the absence of challenges or by applause, but rather by our endurance and resilience. We may face misunderstanding or opposition, yet we can take heart knowing that God is always at work—bringing healing, forming community, and leading us forward with a courageous spirit. (Cardoso, 2025)
Don Schwager quotes “God is pleased to dwell in us,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"God is not too grand to come, he is not too fussy or shy, he is not too proud - on the contrary he is pleased to come if you do not displease him. Listen to the promise he makes. Listen to him indeed promising with pleasure, not threatening in displeasure, "We shall come to him," he says, "I and the Father." To the one he had earlier called his friend, the one who obeys his precepts, the keeper of his commandment, the lover of God, the lover of his neighbor, he says, "We shall come to him and make our abode with him." (excerpt from Sermon 23,6) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 14:5-18 invites us take some time to consider this man’s faith and the insights his story might give us when we face our own challenges to believe.
We may sometimes feel as if we are sitting at God’s feet, with imploring eyes, begging him to answer us. Whether it’s a need for physical healing, a wounded relationship, or a persistent sin pattern, we all have something we have implored God about for years. It can be frustrating to see those prayers unanswered. Yet the hope that this man showed can inspire us. Like him, we can still dare to believe! We can keep asking, keep hoping, and keep loving the Lord. We can still trust that he has a purpose for all things under heaven—including each one of us!
“Lord, I believe in you!” (Meditation on Acts 14:5-18, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler notes how the opposition to Paul and Barnabas in Acts turns almost comical as they are mistaken for Greek gods and needed to do everything to hold the crowds back. The Word is not always understood when it is proclaimed. Friar Jude notes Jesus' promise to Judas Thaddeus about the Holy Spirit as paraclete, lawyer, intermediary, and counselor.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM shares that spiritual growth occurs as we pay attention to and learn from our own experiences.
I am increasingly convinced that the word “prayer,” which has become a functional and pious thing for believers to do, was meant to be a descriptor and an invitation to inner experience. When wise spiritual teachers invite us to “pray,” they are in effect saying, “Go inside and know for yourself!” For too long we’ve insisted on outer authority alone, without any teaching of prayer, inner journey, and maturing consciousness. The results for the world and for religion have been disastrous. [1]
In our tricycle, experience is constantly balanced and critiqued by Scripture and Tradition. When all three “wheels” work together, we have a very wise person. That’s the easiest way to say it. At the CAC, that’s what we’re interested in doing: raising up not argumentative or righteous people, but compassionate and wise people. That’s our goal. [2] (Rohr, n.d.)
We are called to be witnesses to Christ and the Word as people come to know us by our Love.
References
Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 19, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/14?5
Cardoso, E. (2025, May 19). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved May 19, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/051925.html
John, CHAPTER 14. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 19, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/14?
Meditation on Acts 14:5-18. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 19, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/05/19/1280481/
Psalms, PSALM 115 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 19, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/115?1
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Honoring Experience. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 19, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/honoring-experience/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). If You Love Me, Keep My Word. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 19, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=may19
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