7th Week of Pentecost

Acts 14:8-18
At Lystra there was a crippled man, lame from birth, who had never walked. He listened to Paul speaking, who looked intently at him, saw that he had the faith to be healed, and called out in a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet.” He jumped up and began to walk about. When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they cried out in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in human form.” They called Barnabas “Zeus” and Paul “Hermes,” because he was the chief speaker. And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, for he together with the people intended to offer sacrifice. The apostles Barnabas and Paul tore their garments when they heard this and rushed out into the crowd, shouting, “Men, why are you doing this? We are of the same nature as you, human beings. We proclaim to you good news that you should turn from these idols to the living God, ‘who made heaven and earth and sea and all that is in them.’ In past generations he allowed all Gentiles to go their own ways; yet, in bestowing his goodness, he did not leave himself without witness, for he gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, and filled you with nourishment and gladness for your hearts.” Even with these words, they scarcely restrained the crowds from offering sacrifice to them.

Luke 10:13-16
“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. And as for you, Capernaum, ‘Will you be exalted to heaven? You will go down to the netherworld.'” Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.”

The apostles speak in the position of the Lord, who speaks for the Father. If we reject the Church we reject the Lord. If we reject the Son we reject the Father. Paul was a famous preacher and often spoke for the Church and for God. Paul is not to be worshiped or idolized, but heeded. The Church speaks and rules not to bind and chain us, but to free us and help us to stand.
Paul shows that creation points towards God. St. Ephrem speaks of the three harps that testify to God: the Old Testament, the New Testament, and nature. St. Ephrem like Paul before him, and Jesus before Paul used images in nature to show how God reveals Himself in nature.
It can be hard to take the time to read and listen. Obedience can be difficult from a worldly perspective. Yet, if we are willing to hear and to listen we will be able to stand as was the crippled man.

O Lord,
it is our duty to glorify your divinity,
adore your majesty,
and give thanks for your greatness,
for you have created us through your power and wisdom
and by your living Word,
who is your beloved Son.
May you who have made us from nothing bless us,
so that our hearts may praise you and sing your hymns.
Enlighten our minds, that we may be able to adore you according to the abundance of your gifts.
O Lord, you fortify your people by your omnipotent power,
bless your inheritance,
protect your dwellings,
make your choirs flourish,
and your churches prosper.
May all mouths bless your name forever.
May we receive forgiveness from your altar,
healing from your Church,
compassion from your saints,
blessings from your priests,
and help from your martyrs.
Preserve the children of your churches and monasteries who live in your hope.
Grant your salvation to those who have died,
and your kingdom to your faithful departed;
seat them there at your plentiful table.
In your great kindness,
may we join them and stand at your right hand and glorify you, now and for ever. Amen.