Monday 8 May 2023

Today is Monday the 8th of May, in the fifth week of Easter.



Ex Cathedra, directed by Jeffrey Skidmore, sing Dulce Jesus mio. “My sweet Jesus, look with mercy on my soul.” This is not the prayer of someone proud or haughty or self-satisfied, but of a person aware that they have weaknesses and shortcomings, aware that they cannot do without the help and the love and the mercy of God.

(Lyrics currently unavailable)

Today’s reading is from the Acts of the Apostles.

Acts 14: 5-18

And when an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to maltreat them and to stone them, the apostles learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country; and there they continued proclaiming the good news.

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.

We catch a glimpse at the beginning of today’s passage of the danger the apostles were in as they spread the gospel. Let us remember in our prayers right now those who are risking their lives today as they tell the good news of Jesus Christ.


Paul and Barnabas are confronted by a crowd who have never heard of the Lord. Imagine the scene. Place yourself in it. The chaos, the noise, the colours, the smells, everything up close.

Paul and Barnabas make a striking pair. They’re bold, confident, sure of their ground. They’re speaking up about a completely new way of life. How do they seem to you? What is your reaction to them?


Paul ‘looks intently’… he discerns faith in the disabled man, he uses a loud voice. He watches; he observes; he discerns; he acts. How does it feel to you to witness the work, the power of the Holy Spirit in this way?


As you hear the passage again, accompany Paul and Barnabas. Notice where you are drawn.

Being sensitive to the work of the Spirit in today’s passage in the end required decisive action. I could ask for that sensitivity in these closing moments. Ask for my day to be one where I discern God’s way.


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.