We Are All Alike

7 May

“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.”   (Acts 14:15)

Paul and Barnabas had a huge problem at Lystra: they were considered gods.

It was because, through Paul, God healed a crippled man.  The crowd, when they saw it, called Barnabas, “Zeus”, and Paul, “Hermes”.  The crowds wanted to sacrifice to Paul and Barnabas.

Paul and Barnabas were beside themselves.  They wanted the crowds to know that they, Paul and Barnabas, were no different than anyone in the crowd: mere humans.

There is a phenomenon that is often associated with people who do the work of God.  They get put up on pedestals.

So many people look up to the people who minister to their needs, whether they be ordained clergy or lay people who are active in ministry.  They tend to think that those people are “more special”.

Got news for you.

We’re not!

The moment that we realize that we are all in this together, that is the moment that we will all make progress toward our goal of furthering the Kingdom of God here on earth.

That is because we will realize that all of us have the responsibility to do God’s work, not just the “anointed few”, whomever they may be.

FAITH ACTION:  Are you waiting around for something to get done in your parish?  Do you think that it is the job of the priests, the deacons, or one of the other people who minister at the church?  Have you ever offered to start something or to help something get done?  It is time for you to do so.  Become involved.