Humility, obedience, and love in our relationship with God

Acts 14:5-18; Psalm: 113; Jn 14:21-26

In today’s first reading, we see Paul and Barnabas preaching in the city of Lystra. As they were sharing the Good News, they encountered a man who had been crippled from birth. Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, saw that the man had faith to be healed and commanded him to stand up. The man was instantly healed, causing great astonishment among the crowds. However, instead of recognizing Paul and Barnabas as messengers of God, the people began to worship them as gods, calling Barnabas Zeus and Paul Hermes. In response, Paul and Barnabas humbly redirected the people’s attention to the one true God who had brought about the miraculous healing.

This passage is a powerful reminder that, as Christians, we are called to give glory and honor to God alone. It’s easy to become prideful or seek recognition for our good works, but ultimately, all credit belongs to God. Like Paul and Barnabas, we should be quick to redirect praise to God and point others towards Him as the source of all blessings and miracles in our lives.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks to His disciples about the importance of obedience and love. He tells them that those who love Him will keep His commandments and that those who do so will be loved by the Father. Jesus also promises that He and the Father will come to dwell with them through the Holy Spirit, who will teach them all things and help them remember His teachings. This passage underscores the intimate relationship between love, obedience, and knowledge of God’s truth.

It is through our love for God and obedience to His commands that we are able to experience His presence in our lives. The Holy Spirit guides us in understanding and applying the teachings of Jesus, allowing us to grow in wisdom and faith. As we seek to follow Jesus with all our hearts, we are filled with His peace and joy, knowing that we are walking in alignment with His will for our lives.

Today’s readings offer valuable lessons for believers. They remind us of the importance of humility, obedience, and love in our relationship with God. We are called to faithfully serve Him, giving all glory to Him for the works He accomplishes through us. As we seek to follow Jesus and keep His commandments, we can trust in the guidance of the Holy Spirit to lead us in truth and empower us to live out our faith boldly. May we strive to imitate the examples of Paul and Barnabas, always pointing others towards the glory of God and walking in the love and obedience that characterize true discipleship.