Monday of the Fifth Week of Easter
In our first reading, Paul, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, saw that the crippled man had the grace to be healed and healed him. The people of Lystra wanted to make Paul and Barnabas their false gods and thought, “Wow, look at the power that they have!!” But Paul, putting things into perspective, said, ” Um, no, it is not us, we are just workers of the true God! We are just like you, humans! Sometimes I know I can start playing with my imagination and think about whether a prayer is answered, or someone says to me, “Your prayers are powerful,” or “It is your prayers that are doing these great things!” I can sadly say to myself, “Wow, look at the power that I have!” But putting it in perspective, it is just like those in Lystra who did the same thing to Paul and Barnabas, but making myself a god. That is when I must step back and say, “Lord, this was ALL by your power, not mine! I am just a simple man, I am just asking you for a favor if it is your will.” We have to watch out for the sin of pride, so that it doesn’t sneak in and ruin who we are, because if people are relying on me, we are in serious trouble! As St. Bernadette Soubirous of Lourdes said, “I was our Lady’s broomstick, she used me, then put me back in my place, in the corner where I belong.”
Reflection by Br. Maximilian Burkhart, OSB
Posted in Article for Easter, Daily Reflections