Monday 16 May 2022

Today is Monday the 16th of May, in the fifth week of Easter.

One Hope Project sing ‘Awake My Soul’. As you listen, become aware of the places in your soul needing to be woken up today and offer them to the Lord…
There's a song inside of us
A song of beauty and of truth
That fear has sometimes stolen
That fear has sometimes stolen
There's a voice inside of us
A voice of creativity
Which judgment tries to silence
Which judgment tries to silence
But now I'll rise
Pouring out my song of love
Here at Your feet
No more fear!
I'm gonna take my place
In heaven's symphony
Awake my soul!
To sing the song
The song of hope
Step into freedom
There's a fire inside of us
A fire that burns within our hearts
That darkness cannot dampen
That darkness cannot dampen
There's a strength inside of us
A strength that tells us that our
Praise is counted and accepted
I'm counted and accepted
So now I'll rise
Pouring out my song of love
Here at Your feet
No more fear!
I'm gonna take my place
In heaven's symphony
Awake my soul!
To sing the song
The song of hope
Step into freedom
I was created
As a voice not an echo
So I'll sing
So I'll sing

Today’s reading is from the Acts of the Apostles.
Acts 14:8-18
In Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet and had never walked, for he had been crippled from birth. He listened to Paul as he was speaking. And Paul, looking at him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, said in a loud voice, ‘Stand upright on your feet.’ And the man sprang up and began to walk. When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, ‘The gods have come down to us in human form!’ Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates; he and the crowds wanted to offer sacrifice. When the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting, ‘Friends, why are you doing this? We are mortals just like you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. In past generations he allowed all the nations to follow their own ways; yet he has not left himself without a witness in doing good—giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, and filling you with food and your hearts with joy.’ Even with these words, they scarcely restrained the crowds from offering sacrifice to them.

In today’s reading, we hear of a man, who has been crippled from birth. We might picture this man sitting, listening to Paul’s teaching. As he listens, Paul can see that this man has the faith to be healed. So, Paul gives the command, “Stand upright on your feet!” In great contrast, the man springs upright and begins to walk.
This first scene seems very simple and clear. The crippled man understands, has faith and receives healing. What do you need faith for today?
We turn our attention to the crowd who have witnessed this scene, who begin to call Paul and Barnabas ‘gods come down in human form’, wanting to offer sacrifices and garlands to them… Lots of confusion going around!
Imagine how Paul and Barnabas might have felt as they sought to tell of Jesus, who came in human form…

As you listen to the reading again, notice how Paul and Barnabas respond.
Paul and Barnabas point towards the living God. Ask God to reveal if there are any worthless things you might turn away from, so that you can turn towards the living God today.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.